As I prayerfully studied the book of Ruth as a part of our Christmas devotions, I encountered some

interesting correlations between Ruth, the young Moabite widow, and Mary, the young mother of our

Messiah.

Obviously, they didn’t have all things in common, but there are some similarities:

1 – Both came to love God with all their hearts – Ruth coming to that love as a young woman because of

the influence of Naomi -- Mary probably as a young child growing up in a Hebrew home and hearing of

the hope for the Messiah.

2 – Both were humble and selfless – neither drawing attention to themselves – both quietly going about

their lives, doing their daily tasks with willing submission.

3 – Both were led by the hand of God to accept a difficult challenge – Ruth leaving her family and her

pagan land and going to a God-fearing land where she might not be welcome – Mary being pregnant by

the Holy Spirit and being subjected to the unwelcome stares and gossip of her neighbors.

4 – Both beautifully let their hearts overflow in poetic statements of faith that are still used in worship

today:

Ruth’s words to Naomi: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where

you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my

God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do the same to me [as He has

done to you], and more also, if anything but death separates me from you.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Mary’s words to Elizabeth: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; for behold, from now on

all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me; and holy is His

name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him.” (Luke 1:46-50)

I was also imagining that if these two young women asked me to pray for them, I don’t think they would

have asked me to pray for God to protect them from harm. I think, instead, they would have asked me

to pray that God would give them courage.

In our world, we have become fearful people. Would you consider praying the way I think Ruth and

Mary would have prayed – praying, not for protection from harm, but praying for the courage to live out

your calling?

By Judy Shrout

Judy is the wife of Tom, mother of Heather, mother-in-law of Jim, grandmom to T.J., Ainsley, and

Maggie, and grandmother-in-law to Piper.