Being defeated today does not mean that you are a loser forever. Being a failure today does not that you are a failure forever.
The Ruth’s lifestyle in the Bible reflects a woman with a strong faith. It shows the undying spirit of a young lady who is determined to fulfill destiny even when it seems there is no future again. Her life exhibited determination, perseverance, patience, and humility. Out of her lineage the Saviour of the world emerged at last. This shows it is not over until you breathe the last breath. The early stage of her life was full of sorrow but it all ended in everlasting joy. In Ruth 1:11-18, “11But Naomi replied, “Go back home, my daughters! There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands! 12Go back home, my daughters! For I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, 13surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! No, my daughters, you must not return with me. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. For the LORD is afflicting me!” 14Again they wept loudly. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. 15So Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law back home!” 16But Ruth replied, “Stop urging me to abandon you! For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will become my people, and your God will become my God. 17Wherever you die, I will die – and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! Only death will be able to separate me from you!” 18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her.” Ruth determined to follow Naomi back to her country. She said in verse 17 “Where you die, I will die and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” What a great commitment to embark on a journey without any assurance of a glorious end! Despite gross darkness all around her, she looked beyond the darkness to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything in life is against her, but she never give up! What a woman with lion’s heart!
In the journey of life, wilderness experiences are inevitable; everyone will pass through one wilderness experience or the other. The experiences are not the issue. What matter most are your responses to every challenge you face in the journey of life. Are you ready to give up or stand strong? Nobody ever travels the road to greatness and success without one or more trials or challenges. The attitude you exhibit will determine how the journey will end.
A former President of United State of America, late Richard Nixon wrote that “A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” Being defeated today does not mean that you are a loser forever. Being a failure today does not that you are a failure forever. When you are knocked down, it does not mean you are knocked out forever. When life put your back on the ground, it does not mean you will not rise on your feet again. Hopeless situations only exist when people develop hopeless mind. Rise up to your wilderness experiences. Do not be distracted, do not be discouraged, do not be weary, and do not give up. Reactivate the mental picture of your dream, keep the fire burning, keep going, keeping moving. The end will be glorious. I see a miracle happening concerning that dream. If you do not give up, your testimony will come very speedily. Your story will put an end to every debate and question about your life. Hold on, hold out, and never give up. Ruth did not give up, out of her lineage, the Saviour of the world emerged. It is your turn to share your testimony.