Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Urge me not 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 shall be my people and your God my God. 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 me from you.
	Matthew Henry gives some insights as to how this pledge of Ruth can be seen in its the inherent aspects affecting each of us as we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.
[1.] We must take the Lord for our God. "This God is my God for ever and ever; I have avouched him for mine."
[2.] When we take God for our God we must take his people for our people in all conditions; though they be a poor despised people, yet, if they be his, they must be ours.
[3.] Having cast in our lot among them, we must be willing to take our lot with them and to fare as they fare. We must submit to the same yoke and draw in it faithfully, take up the same cross and carry it cheerfully, go where God will have us to go, though it should be into banishment, and lodge where he will have us to lodge, though it be in a prison, die where he will have us die, and lay our bones in the graves of the upright, who enter into peace and rest in their beds, though they be but the graves of the common people.
[4.] We must resolve to continue and persevere, and herein our adherence to Christ must be closer than that of Ruth to Naomi. She resolved that nothing but death should separate them; but we must resolve that death itself shall not separate us from our duty to Christ, and then we may be sure that death itself shall not separate us from our happiness in Christ. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
This tremendous pledge of Ruth with all of its commitment to God is echoed by Christ in John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me [to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 
S.H. Tyng states the following about the faithful truth of Ruth’s decision. He too sees its effects in our course of life after we have made our choice after God above all else in this life.
1. It was an humble choice. She has nothing to offer but herself… It matters not in what condition of life the child of earth was born, when the Holy Spirit brings her heart to Jesus she comes as a beggar. Parents and sisters may say she has been always the light and comfort of the household. They are ready to think she has never sinned. And yet she feels the burden of guilt, and weeps, and prays over the remembrance of her foolish, wasted life. The preciousness of the faithful saying, that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, is her only comfort. The assurance that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost is her single encouragement and support.
2. It was an affectionate choice. Her heart is with Naomi. Her desires all reach forward to the land to which Naomi journeys, and thither, on whatever terms, she must and she will go. It is just such a choice to which the Savior would lead you all." My daughter, give Me thy heart," is His tender appeal to you. And our youthful, spiritual traveler freely and affectionately responds, "I give my heart to Thee; Thy face will I seek; hide not Thy face from me." Her choice is of the Savior, because she really loves Him. Infinite attractions are gathered around Him. His service seems to her all that she can desire.
3. Ruth's choice was an entire one. There was no hesitation in her mind about the decision she should make. She manifested no remaining love for Moab, and no lingering desire to carry something of Moab with her. And it was this entire choice…. She made the exchange, the transfer of herself, freely, completely, and without reserve. And there was nothing left to turn her back to Moab in her possible experience hereafter. When the choice of a Savior is thus entire, how completely it opens the way for future duty! How it settles all future discussions and difficulties with a single decision! The secret of happiness in religion is just here. Making it the entire, single choice of the heart. The troubles and difficulties in the Savior’s service habitually arise from the vain attempt to serve two masters.
4. Ruth's choice was a determined choice. Lovely and gentle as she appears, and humbly and affectionately as she pleads, there was amazing dignity and firmness in her stand. Some of the most triumphant and remarkable deaths in the history of early martyrdom for Christ are of young and tender virgins who calmly and boldly endured every conceivable torture without a moment's faltering. "I am a Christian," was their gentle but firm reply to every solicitation to recant, until, worn out with suffering, they departed to be with Christ. You may never be called to the same sorrows. But you will be always summoned to the same decision. Jesus will always require from you the same unshrinking, determined choice.  (S. H. Tyng, D. D.)
The Essex Remembrancer sets forth aspects of Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi as an example of some of the characteristic resolutions that must be inherent in every Christian choosing to live unto God alone.
I. A RESOLUTION TO PURSUE THE JOURNEY TO HEAVEN.
1. It is a narrow way.2. It sometimes proves a way of affliction….
II. A RESOLUTION TO BE SATISFIED WITH SPIRITUAL ENTERTAINMENTS.
1. The Christian finds a sweet entertainment in communion with his God -- in praising Him, which is one of the most delightful exercises of the mind; and in prayer, which is so necessary for the renewing of his spiritual strength.
2. In the Word of God he finds a delightful repast…
3. In the conversation of his fellow Christians, the believer finds delightful refreshing.
4. The believer finds also times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord when he takes up his abode in the house of God. He experiences the truth of the promise;" they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."
III. A RESOLUTION TO CAST IN THE LOT WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD…
1. The people of God have generally been a persecuted people.2. The people of God are an afflicted people.3. The people of God are a holy people…
IV. A RESOLUTION TO CHOOSE THE SERVICE OF GOD. When a sinner is truly converted from his sin he cleaves unto the Lord with purpose of heart. "Thy God shall be my God," is the resolution which he expresses to the Church of Christ; and in doing so --
1. He resolves to cast away his idols.
2. He who makes this resolution receives God in Christ as his God -- God in the person of the Mediator.
3. He who chooses God for his God resolves to devote himself to the active service of God.
Finally it is 
V. A RESOLUTION TO BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. What is necessary to faithfulness unto death?
1. Begin aright.2. Persevere as you begin, for Christ is not only the Door but the Way.
Often repair to the fountain of His blood for peace; constantly resort to His throne of grace for spiritual strength; often sit at the feet of Jesus to learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. To conclude --
1. We admire the constancy and perseverance of Ruth.
2. We learn from this passage of Scripture that we ought to be faithful to those who are inquiring the way to Zion with their faces thitherward.
3. The inquiring and anxious sinner should persevere whatever difficulties may present themselves. If the difficulties and trials of the way were tenfold, it would still be his interest as well as his duty to endure unto the end. (Essex Remembrancer.) (from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright (c) 2002 AGES and Biblesoft, Inc.)
Ps 16:8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 
Ps 34:18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. 
Ps 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. 
Jer 23:23+24 Am I a God at hand, says the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. 
Ps 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. 
Heb 10:22 Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. 
James 4:8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 
The Biblical Illustrator shows, in Ruth, the course that we all must take when we decide to follow only the Lord. We must never forget what is involved in this course as we stand with our young Christians. It does well to see in Ruth the truth of the walk of each one of us before the Lord and to be there with one another in prayer and love as this walk continues for each one of us. 
She stands before us a sincere youthful convert to the Lord's service. She has decided the question for her soul by gratefully accepting the offers of a Savior’s love. She sets out upon an untried journey alone. Naomi, indeed, is with her. And her heart is affectionately bound to her mother-in-law. But Ruth has many cares, trials, and remembrances of which Naomi is not conscious. To Naomi the journey is a well-known return. To Ruth every step is untried and new. She was born in Moab. She knows nothing of Judah. Thus is it with every youthful convert. The experienced and aged Christian has much acquaintance with the way in which you go. The new-born child of grace takes every step on ground unknown and untried. This is the way in which all must go who would walk with God. "This people shall dwell alone." Each one, be the multitude ever so great, is a hidden one with God. Multitudes may be traveling in the same direction, but the feelings and experience of each are solitary. Ruth must make her decision in her own secret heart, and make it for herself alone. Her earthly friends must all be left. They are in Moab, from whence she takes now her final departure. This separation is not to be made without a trial of her faith. The more affectionate she is in her real choice, the more she will feel the separation from those whom she leaves behind. Religion cannot destroy our earthly affections, our interest in those who are dear to us in natural ties. Nay, it much increases the warmth and power of our love. This decision may often meet with much opposition from those with whom you dwell. Your dearest earthly connections may oppose. They love you. But they do not love your religion. You must follow the Lord fully though you follow Him alone among your earthly connections; and He will make those who oppose at peace with you. Be faithful to Him, and your fidelity shall be the source of increased confidence and respect, even from the worldly who appear to reject and despise you. As we trace the history of Ruth, we find her meeting with new trials of her faith and decision after she sets out alone. Orpah has gone. But still Naomi proves the spirit of Ruth. Your sister has gone back to her people and her gods. If you mean ever to go back, now is your best time to go. Remember, I have nothing to offer you. If you go with me it must be to be a partner of my griefs and wants. Thus God often proves the young disciple with new trials. He sends His east wind upon the young trees of His planting; not to weaken or destroy, but to give greater strength and endurance for the time to come. Our real conversion to Him is an hour of peace and blessedness; but it is not an end of trial. Nay, it is the very beginning of new contests; and our fidelity in the decision we have made is to be proved at once, and to be proved constantly, by new dispensations of the will of God. Be really faithful and sincere, and God will prove your faith, to strengthen, settle, and stablish you for ever. Be truly gold, and then the refiner's fire will only purify and make you bright… When a child of the world comes out on the side of Christ, and pursues, in the midst of the evil examples of many, a course of simple, faithful devotion to the Savior, how it honors His truth! How it strengthens His cause! How it impresses even those who oppose! How such faithfulness is owned and prospered by the Lord, to whom it is offered, in the usefulness to others of the life which is adorned by it. (from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright (c) 2002 AGES and Biblesoft, Inc.)
Charles Spurgeon presents a view of Ruth’s decision for God with respect for the affections that should now be a part of our lives in Christ. These are now some of the elements of our life that should be recognized and sought after with all our hearts.
I. AFFECTION FOR THE GODLY SHOULD INFLUENCE US TO GODLINESS…
1. There is the influence of companionship.
2. The influence of admiration. Let us therefore copy the saints.
3. The influence of instruction. When we learn from a teacher we are affected by him in many ways. Instruction is a kind of formation.
4. The influence of reverence. Those who are older, wiser, and better than we are create in us a profound respect, and lead us to follow their example.
5. The influence of desire to cheer them.
6. The influence of fear of separation. It will be an awful thing to be eternally divided from the dear ones who seek our salvation.
II. RESOLVES TO GODLINESS WILL BE TESTED.
1. By the poverty of the godly and their other trials.
2. By counting the cost.
3. By the drawing back of others.
4. By the duties involved in religion. Ruth must work in the fields. Some proud people will not submit to the rules of Christ's house, nor to the regulations which govern the daily lives of believers.
5. By the apparent coldness of believers. Naomi does not persuade her to keep with her, but the reverse. She was a prudent woman, and did not wish Ruth to come with her by persuasion, but by conviction.
6. By the silent sorrow of some Christians. Naomi said, "Call me not Naomi, but call me Bitterness." Persons of a sorrowful spirit there always will be; but this must not hinder us from following the Lord.
III. SUCH GODLINESS MUST MAINLY LIE IN THE CHOICE OF GOD.
1. This is the believer's distinguishing possession: "Thy God shall be my God."
2. His great article of belief: "I believe in God."
3. His ruler and lawgiver: "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments" (Ps 119:38). Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You.
4. His instructor: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord" (Ps 28:2). Hear the voice of my supplication as I cry to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your innermost sanctuary (the Holy of Holies). 
5. His trust and stay: (Ps 48:14) "This God is our God for ever and ever, He will be our guide even unto death 
Finally Spurgeon points out the fact that this decision is not only a choice after God, but also after the people of God
IV. BUT IT SHOULD INVOLVE THE CHOICE OF HIS PEOPLE: "Thy people shall be my people." They are ill spoken of by the other kingdom. Not all we could wish them to be. Not a people out of whom much is to be gained. But Jehovah is their God, and they are His people. Our eternal inheritance is part and parcel of theirs. Let us make deliberate, humble, firm, joyful, immediate choice for God and His saints; accepting their lodging in this world, and going with them whither they are going. (C. H. Spurgeon.)