Loyalty in Adversity

What does loyalty in adversity look like?

Cling to the commitments you made when things were easier

Ruth told Naomi she would be part of the family when she married into the family. In the face of tragedy, she still held on to her commitments

Ruth also held onto God. Naomi seemed to have a view that God hated her, but Ruth held on to that God. She had a better view of God than her mother-in-law.

Be determined

Don’t give up on your commitments

Ruth made it clear she was with Naomi till the end. She would not desert her ever.

Loyalty traps

Selfishness

Naomi gave up on God and blamed Him for every thing because she was so focused on herself that she couldn’t see past her bitterness.

“We can’t control the circumstances of life, but we can control how we respond to them. That’s what faith is all about, daring to believe that God is working everything for our good even when we don’t feel like it or see it happening. “In everything give thanks” (1 Thes. 5:18) isn’t always easy to obey, but obeying this command is the best antidote against a bitter and critical spirit. The Scottish preacher George H. Morrison said, “Nine-tenths of our unhappiness is selfishness, and is an insult cast in the face of God.” Because Naomi was imprisoned by selfishness, she was bitter against God. “- Warren Wiersbe

Your selfishness can be a bigger problem than your adversity

Having a wrong perspective

Naomi could only focus on the wrong in her life

She entirely ignores some incredible things God has given her

Ruth

Life

Opportunity

God

It can be hard to be loyal, but loyalty to God is going to save you.