What a great verse Hebrews 11:6 is!
As I was reading through the book of Ruth, I was reminded of this verse in particular. In the life of Ruth, it is evident that she believed that God "is" Ruth 1:16. As clear as her belief in God was, it was the action directed by that belief which encouraged and convicted my heart. Socially, economically, and logically, Orpah made the right choice -to return to her people. However, the Scriptures show us that she also returned to "her gods." Orpah didn't simply choose her own family over Naomi, she chose "her gods" over Elohim.
For Ruth, returning to her own family would have certainly seemed like the right thing (socially, economically and logically) to do considering the bitterly cursed family into which she had married.
Without knowing what the future would bring, she trusted in the one true God who held and would direct that future.
Ruth not only pleased Naomi and eventually Boaz, she pleased God by her faith that believed "that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
I conclude with this thought:
If belief does not change behavior, it is no belief at all.
