"Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her."-Ruth 1:14

Both of them had an affection for Naomi, and therefore set out with her
upon her return to the land of Judah. But the hour of test came; Naomi
most unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them,
and bade them if they cared for ease and comfort to return to their
Moabitish friends. At first both of them declared that they would cast in
their lot with the Lord's people; but upon still further consideration
Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and
her people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends, while
Ruth with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her mother in
law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair, and
quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and
difficulties. The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy, but the
practical cleaving to the Lord, which must show itself in holy decision for
truth and holiness, is not so small a matter. How stands the c!
ase with us, is our heart fixed upon Jesus, is the sacrifice bound with
cords to the horns of the altar? Have we counted the cost, and are we
solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake? The
after gain will be an abundant recompense, for Egypt's treasures are not
to be compared with the glory to be revealed. Orpah is heard of no more;
in glorious ease and idolatrous pleasure her life melts into the gloom
of death; but Ruth lives in history and in heaven, for grace has placed
her in the noble line whence sprung the King of kings. Blessed among
women shall those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all; but
forgotten and worse than forgotten shall those be who in the hour of temptation
do violence to conscience and turn back unto the world. O that this
morning we may not be content with the form of devotion, which may be no
better than Orpah's kiss, but may the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving
of our whole heart to our Lord Jesus.

SHALOM!!!