Naomi has lost her husband, her sons, and is in the process of sending off her daughter in-laws. She is broken. In her own words she is ‘Mara’, meaning ‘bitter’. She has felt abandoned by God and has given others around her the freedom to leave for greener pastures elsewhere.

But despite this, Ruth stays.

Ruth not only sticks around, but she makes a commitment to Naomi in verses 16 – 17. These words look like something akin to marriage vows as opposed to a friendship. Ruth is all-in with Naomi and won’t take no for an answer. Like Marriage, this friendship is covenantal. It is a binding pledge, made by Ruth, to commit to Naomi and her wellbeing.

I wonder if, in the church, we are often in danger in elevating the covenant of marriage at the expense of the covenant of friendship. The promises of marriage are clearly laid out in the wedding ceremony before friends and family, it is bound by a document, and results in a new way of seeing the other person.

But could we have a similar value placed on friendship? I long to have friends that commit to my wellbeing the way Ruth commits to Naomi. People who are willing to say I’m ‘all-in’, whatever highs or lows may come.

In a society where loneliness and insecurity are rife, could you make that covenant of friendship with one or two others and remind them today that you are all-in?

***

Question:

Who might you make a covenant of friendship with for this season of your life?

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the friends you have put in my life. Guide me as to who you might be calling me to be all-in with today.

Amen.