Spurgeon: December AM
* 12/15/AM
"Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her."
--Ruth 1:14
Both of them had an affection for Naomi, and therefore set
out with her upon her return to the land of Judah. But the hour
of test came; Naomi most unselfishly set before each of them the
trials which awaited them, and bade them if they cared for ease
and comfort to return to their Moabitish friends. At first both
of them declared that they would cast in their lot with the
Lord's people; but upon still further consideration Orpah with
much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and her
people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends,
while Ruth with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her
mother in law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when
all is fair, and quite another to cleave to them under all
discouragements and difficulties. The kiss of outward profession
is very cheap and easy, but the practical cleaving to the Lord,
which must show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness,
is not so small a matter. How stands the case with us, is our
heart fixed upon Jesus, is the sacrifice bound with cords to the
horns of the altar? Have we counted the cost, and are we
solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake?
The after gain will be an abundant recompense, for Egypt's
treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be revealed.
Orpah is heard of no more; in glorious ease and idolatrous
pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death; but Ruth lives
in history and in heaven, for grace has placed her in the noble
line whence sprung the King of kings. Blessed among women shall
those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all; but forgotten
and worse than forgotten shall those be who in the hour of
temptation do violence to conscience and turn back unto the
world. O that this morning we may not be content with the form
of devotion, which may be no better than Orpah's kiss, but may
the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving of our whole heart to our
Lord Jesus.