But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you
or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you
lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Ruth: 1:16
Hitler imprisoned a
German pastor, Martin Niemoeller, for eight years. He spent some time in
prisons and concentration camps, including Dachau. Hitler realized that if
Niemoeller, a First World War hero, could be persuaded to join his cause then
much opposition would collapse, so he sent a former friend of Niemoeller to
visit him, a friend who now supported the Nazis. Seeing Niemoeller in his cell,
the one time friend is reported as saying, "Martin, Martin! Why are you
here?" To which he received from Niemoeller the response, "My friend!
Why are you not here?"
Brothers and Sisters, Pastor Niemoeller refused to stray from
his convictions as a follower and witness of Jesus Christ. Another story of loyalty resides in the Book of Ruth when
Naomi was leaving Moab and going back to Judah. We see that Naomi
released Ruth and Oprah from loyalty, as Oprah returned home Ruth fell at the
knees of Naomi and begged to go to Judah with her. Yes, we see stories of
loyalty to others as well as loyalty to God in the form of Ruth and Pastor Niemoeller.
Brothers and Sisters, my prayer for you
this day is that as followers of Christ, you will stay true to your convictions. Witness to others as the Body of Christ, and go in the knowledge that the path of Christ is the path that will always
lead you home. Don’t stray from God's path but stay true to the one who paid our eternal debt.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
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