DAILY STRENGTH FOR MEN
February 21 (day 2)

Passage: Verse in Context - Ruth 1:11-19, 22 NRSV

Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has turned against me." Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." But Ruth said, "Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die - there will I be buried. May the LORD do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!" When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her. So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. So Naomi returned together with Ruth Moabite, her daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Questions for Reflection and Application

* What do you consider your home? How strong is your affinity for home?

* Have you ever decided to move to a location with which you were completely unfamiliar? Why did you move there? What were the biggest challenges you faced in adjusting?

* Think of a time when you had to be as courageous as Ruth when she decided to leave her homeland. What was the source of your courage? How did it help you?

Father, wherever my heart is ... there my home will be. Remind me who lives inside my heart and where my home truly lies. Amen.