Notes From the Pastor's Desk
May 11, 2026
A Wise Mother
Read Ruth 1:16‑19. Ruth means “A Friend.” Ruth was one of the greatest mothers in history. She was the mother of Obed, the grandmother of Jessie, who was the great grandmother of King David, and the direct ancestress of Jesus. Her decisions made her great.
I. She Decided To Take the God of Heaven, the God of the Israelites as Her God
(v. 16) Ruth turned from the false gods of her people. False gods cannot hear, help or save. It is a total waste to have a false God. We must realize no mother can be all she should be and leave the God of Heaven out of her life.
II. She Decided to Walk the Narrow Path of the Godly
(v. 16) She said, “For whither thou goest, I will go.” The direction of our lives must be right if the results are going to be right. Matt. 7:14 says, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
III. She Decided to Take the Home of the Godly
(v. 16) She said, “Where thou lodgest, I will lodge.” What is a home without a Godly mother present? Great mothers and homes produce great men and women. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
IV. Ruth Decided Her Friends Would Consist of Godly People
She said, “Thy people shall be my people.” You can judge a person's character by the company he or she keeps. An old saying says, “If you lie down with the dog you get fleas.” God's people must choose friends from among their own kind. See 1 Pet. 4:4.
V. Ruth Desired to Die the Death of the Godly
In verse 17 she said, “Where thou diest, will I die.” John Wesley said, “Our people die well.” Psa. 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
VI. Ruth Decided For A Burial Among The People of God
See verse 17 which says, “And there will I be buried.” It is good to be concerned about where you will be buried.
VII. She Decided on the Reward of the People of God, Rather Than Remain in Moab
Read verses 18‑19. Then compare Heb. 11:24‑26 which says, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” To choose to serve and honor God is the right choice for any mother. Hopefully, her children will travel in the same path she has hewn out for them.