JUN 9

Ruth 1:12-13
Memorise Titus 2:12
“…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts”

IS MY COMMITMENT WORLDLY LIKE ORPAH?

All too often, we see people coming to church for the wrong reasons. Even among the teens, there are sadly some who have the wrong motives for coming to church. Some come to find friends or a boyfriend or girlfriend; others come only to have fun and to enjoy the many activities. When these reasons are taken away, therefore, they are no longer interested in attending. For example, if they find that there are other activities out there in the world that are more fun, they would choose to attend those instead.

How about you, dear teen? Why do you come to church? The character of Orpah which we have been learning about is very much similar to these people whom I have just described. She was willing to follow Naomi for as long as her own personal agenda was being satisfied. However, when it came to crunch time where she had to choose, she ended up choosing the path that would satisfy her own desires. Naomi’s arguments made sense – it was not possible for her to find another husband and to give birth to more sons for her daughters-in-law to marry. Even if (and it’s a very big IF!) she could, it would be absurd for Ruth and Orpah to wait for them to grow up so that they could marry them. Hence, Orpah took Naomi’s advice and chose not to follow her back. Her worldly desire (to find another husband to marry) outweighed any desire for spiritual things. She took the path that would help her to satisfy her worldly and physical desires, rather than the path that would lead to spiritual blessings and a knowledge of God.

Are you an Orpah too? Do you find yourself seeking after worldly success, at the expense of your own spiritual walk with God? Have you sacrificed your testimony for the sake of some other worldly pursuit? Dear teen, may you take this chance to reflect on your life today and consider whether you have truly been seeking after God, or whether your commitment has been worldly instead.

Thought: Is my commitment worldly or godly?
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have been an Orpah.