My Devotional: The importance of loyalty

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’” — Ruth 1:16

Loyalty is the glue that holds teams together when injuries mount and bench players suddenly see more playing time and go through growing pains. On other occasions, frustrations often boil over when losses outnumber wins.

During those times, it’s easy to point fingers and assign blame to someone else. If the team is united, then individuals pull together and support each other, rather than turning their backs on one another when things are not going well.

When Ruth’s husband died in the Bible, she hurt deeply but didn’t only think about herself. She reached out to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth’s dedication extended Naomi’s life. When Naomi tried to release Ruth from her responsibilities, Ruth refused.

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).

Though the apostle Paul was an incredible missionary, he needed reliable helpers. Priscilla and Aquila worked alongside Paul as tentmakers. More importantly, this married couple helped start churches in several places. They opened their home as a meeting place for churches and also assisted financially in keeping churches strong.

Therefore, Paul was grateful to them.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house” (Romans 16:3-5).

Even though Jesus’ disciples disappointed Him several times, Jesus stood by them until His last breath. When Jesus agonized on the cross, the disciples struggled with doubts and fears, but Jesus remained strong.

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

Jesus stands by all believers forever. He will always be by our side.