God hates arrogance.

(NIV) Psalm 5:5 “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.”

How often do you and I assume something about another person’s circumstances? How often do we take it upon ourselves to project our logic into another’s situation without counting on God to work in and through their life?

Naomi did just that…

(NASB) Ruth 1:15 “Then she said, “˜Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.'”

***Naomi became insistent that Ruth follow Orpah, to go back to her own people and to her gods. Naomi looked at the circumstances and assumed what would be best for both Orpah and Ruth. She did not ask, she took it upon herself to tell Ruth what would be best for her.

Do you do that? Do I?

How often do we do the same thing as Naomi and with love as the motive? Telling others what is best for them without thinking to ask them, without putting God’s will into the equation, is arrogance and not waiting on the Lord in prayer.

If Ruth had listened to her mother-in-law, she would not have claimed the living God, she would have gone back to Chemosh, the national god of Moab. The Moabites worshiped many gods and are considered polytheistic from archeological finds.

My prayer is: forgive me Lord for my arrogance! Forgive me for taking responsibility where I have no rightful responsibility.

What is your prayer?

In Friday’s devotional we will look at Ruth’s famous commitment and loyalty to Naomi. Ruth’s choice will reveal her commitment to the living God.