Loyalty.

Are you loyal for a season or for life?

Most young people are fair-weather friends, committed to things while it is convenient. But sometimes God will put people in your life who deserve a serious commitment. As you know, your mom and I have friends we have known since childhood, and to whom we remain committed. Other friendships last only for a season—and that is okay too.

But when God overwhelms you with a friend or a vision or goal, some deserve your loyalty for life. After Ruth met her Hebrew mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth was loyal to her for life, even enough to adopt Naomi’s religion. After Naomi’s sons died, she planned to return to Israel, and sent away her daughters in law. But Ruth would not go:

“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back 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. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me” Ruth 1:16-17. (Now THAT is loyalty!)

Ittai the Gittite was similarly committed to King David. When David and 600 of his men had to run for their lives, David told Ittai not to put his life at risk by following David. He said, “You are a foreigner and an exile, and what’s more, you only arrived yesterday. Go back, and may God take care of you.” But Ittai refused:

“As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!” 2 Samuel 15:21.

Could you ever be that committed to a cause or a person? I KNOW you could—both of you are loyal.

But some people and causes deserve your loyalty, and some do NOT. Ask God for the wisdom to know the difference.

ΑΩ