In Marriage

Ruth 1:^11&14 “But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands… And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.”

Orpah had been a kisser all along. Naomi just needed to show Orpah that she did not have anything for her. Naomi just needed to show Orpah that she would have a better life if she returned to her family. That is all kissers need to see, and they will kiss you goodbye. But guess what? They will not enter into the more of Bethlehem of Judah. They will not enter into the more of what God has in store. All they get is what man has to offer. I am praying that you become that Ruth. It is important to mention that it is you that God is speaking to and not just your spouse that you are hoping is reading today’s devotional.

Remember, until you become that Ruth in that marriage, the journey to more will be elusive. And the journey to that place where God has promised will be elusive. The Bible says in Ruth 1:6-7   “When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law, she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.” (NIV). And that is why the Word of God would say in Genesis 2:²⁴ “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (KJV, emphasis added). The Bible did not say shall a woman leave her father and mother. God is very clear. The man should be a cleaver.

As a man you are not just to be a kisser. You have to go beyond fair weather. You are not just to check situation and make decisions that are in your interest. A man is to cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. So, cleaving is for both parties. So, it is not only men that are supposed to cleave. We will get into the ladies own in a bit. But for now, we are focusing on the men. Men, you cannot cleave if you do not leave. You need to leave your father and mother so that you can cleave to your wife. If your preoccupation is still on what daddy and mummy will say, then it means you are not a man just yet. Honour your father, honour your mother, but leave and cleave to your own wife. Do I get an Amen?

Now this is for the women. Psalm 45:^10-11 “Listen, daughter… Listen to me, O royal daughter; and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honour him, for he is your lord.” (NIV&NLT). Ladies, this is your Ruth moment. God says you are royalty, valuable, born in the palace, made for the palace, to be pampered, to be taken care of. But pay careful attention because the cleaving to the king cannot happen when you are still trying to hook up with your people. Forget about them and cleave to your king!

Prayer: Father, help me operate in the Ruth heart in my marriage, in Jesus Name. Amen!