Morning, December 15

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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.