Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
The steadfastness that was manifested in Ruth is a characteristic that is born of God, and much to be desired in our Christian experiences as decisions are made and actions are taken. This type of commitment when put to good use is extremely valuable in the building up of God's kingdom, and as the after history of Ruth shows, resulted in the great privilege of her being one of the progenitors of Christ. The Bible says that a person who wavers is unstable in all his ways, and a marked contrast is thus drawn between Ruth's decision making, and that of her sister's.
When their mother in law Naomi offered to let them return to their native country and gods, they both declined, but after she insisted, Ruth's sister for some reason changed her mind and returned, thus showing that her level of commitment wasn't genuine, deep, and strong, as was that of her sister Ruth. During the time that they had spent together over the years, Ruth had come to know God on some level, and rather than cast away her new-found experience in exchange for a return to her old friends, family, and religion, she decided she would press forward until she got to know The Lord as best she could for herself.
When by faith we enter into a covenant relationship with God, there would often be times in our experiences when there is opportunity to turn back to our former ways, because God never coerces the conscience or decisions of anyone, and that's why Joshua offered the Hebrews the only two choices that all human beings have, either to choose to serve God with a willing and ready mind, or to choose the service of Baal, where any and everything goes.
The same question and choices were posed to the Israelites again when they had been engulfed in a marked departure from God, by indulging in idolatry of the deepest hue. As Elijah came to them he exhorted them to choose and to stand firmly behind their choices, for even Christ has stated that He prefers for us to be either cold or hot, but definitely not lukewarm. Let's read:
Joshua 24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
1st Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Whatever our decision may be as far as it pertains to serving God and choosing the right, one thing is certain, that the steadfastness manifested in Ruth and other like-minded brethren in ages past will also need to be developed and exercised in us if we expect our relationship with The Lord to deepen and have meaning. After we have tasted and seen that The Lord is good, we should then be encouraged to take proactive steps in cementing our new-found relationship, so that the prospect of turning back can be taken off the table once and for all. For this reason we therefore end with a passage of scripture that encourages us to be steadfast and not wavering, knowing that in due time we will reap if we faint not. Let's read:
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
May the Lord enable us to be firm as a rock in our purposes to serve Him, and finally see His face. God bless!