Be Committed is a study of the books of Ruth and Esther. As Ken Baugh points out in the introduction, “one of the great temptations that we all face during these difficult situations is whether to take the path of least resistance or the path of faith.” Both Ruth and Esther experienced difficult circumstances, but they remained committed and enjoyed God’s grace and riches because of their commitment to faith, despite the circumstances. Ruth had lost her husband, but instead of staying with her people, remarrying, and starting over in security, she went with her mother-in-law (Naomi), living in poverty away from her people, and embraced Naomi’s God. God honored her faith by giving her a new husband and placing her in the lineage of Jesus!

Esther, an orphan who became Queen of Persia, faced a difficult decision. Haman had put a plan into place to kill all the Jewish people spread out over Persia. Approaching the king unbidden was punishable by death - even for the queen. Esther could appeal for the lives of her people and, as her cousin Mordecai told her, maybe she was placed in her position for “such a time as this.” Esther remained committed and chose to go before the king unbidden and, “if I perish, I perish.” Through this commitment, the Jewish people were saved from Haman’s wicked plot and Esther’s life was spared. Neither of these women took the easy way out.
Warren Wiersbe says that Ruth and Esther “encourage me to be faithful in my service to the glory of the Lord. At an hour in history when it’s easy to compromise and even to quit, these two heroines of the faith tell me to be committed to the Lord and to do the will of God, come what may.” ( )