Paul records for us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Romans 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."  The things written aforetime that Paul was talking about in this verse are the Old Testament Scriptures.  Many followers of God, both men and women, have left great examples for us to pattern our lives after.  Among the examples left for us is the example of Ruth.  Ruth had many great qualities that all Christian young women should strive to have.  Among these qualities, she was loving, humble, obedient, respectful, and loyal.  The latter of these five is the one we will be noticing today.
    The book of Ruth tells how a Hebrew family was driven by famine into the land of Moab.  Certain circumstances left Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, widows.  Naomi decided to return to Judah, her native land, but she entreated Ruth and Orpah to return to their homes in Moab.  Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and returned, but Ruth cleaved to Naomi.  Ruth was loyal to Naomi.  She was determined to be with her unto death:  "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me"  (Ruth 1:16,17).
    Today, it is important that we, as young Christian women, be loyal.  First, we must be loyal to God:  "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"  (Joshua 24:15).  Second, we must be loyal to the church:  "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body"  (Ephesians 5:23).  We can notice in this verse that Christ is going to save the church and only the church.  Therefore, we should be loyal to it so that we can be saved.  Third, and finally, we should be loyal to our parents as long as they do not tell us to do something that goes against God's Word:  "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right"  (Ephesians 6:1).
    There are many needs among young women in our society for the quality of loyalty.  We are indebted to God for the example of loyalty He has left for us in Ruth.