Ruth-Day 5
Naomi has experienced a great deal of sorrow and loss in her life, and she is in a very dark place. She doesn't understand why God would allow all this tragedy to happen. Her losses seem to have no purpose, just pain. She’s lost sight of God’s Providential hand at work in her life.
Choosing to not give in to bitterness and doubt is almost a daily battle during some seasons of life. Life in this broken world can seem so unfair. Experiencing affliction can break our spirit and make us wonder “Why me, God?”
Even though Naomi is questioning her circumstances, she is still not rejecting her God. She calls Him Almighty. She understands His greatness, and she respects His sovereignty. She chooses to return back to where she came from and turn from the pagan land where she had been dwelling. She is taking baby steps of faith in God's direction.
Some days, we may not see how God is actively at work in our lives. When heartbreaking circumstances are clouding our view of God’s goodness and grace, we need to fight to keep the communication lines open with God. We need to stay in the Word and wrestle out our doubts in prayer. We must trust that our Deliverer is faithful.
Lord, help us to not grow bitter when life is hard. May we remember You are in control even when life seems chaotic. Help us to keep walking toward You with an open heart. Amen.
“So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”
Ruth 1:19-22 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/rut.1.19-22.NASB2020
“¶The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the Lord rescues him from them all.”
Psalms 34:19 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.34.19.NASB2020
Choosing to not give in to bitterness and doubt is almost a daily battle during some seasons of life. Life in this broken world can seem so unfair. Experiencing affliction can break our spirit and make us wonder “Why me, God?”
Even though Naomi is questioning her circumstances, she is still not rejecting her God. She calls Him Almighty. She understands His greatness, and she respects His sovereignty. She chooses to return back to where she came from and turn from the pagan land where she had been dwelling. She is taking baby steps of faith in God's direction.
Some days, we may not see how God is actively at work in our lives. When heartbreaking circumstances are clouding our view of God’s goodness and grace, we need to fight to keep the communication lines open with God. We need to stay in the Word and wrestle out our doubts in prayer. We must trust that our Deliverer is faithful.
Lord, help us to not grow bitter when life is hard. May we remember You are in control even when life seems chaotic. Help us to keep walking toward You with an open heart. Amen.
“So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”
Ruth 1:19-22 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/rut.1.19-22.NASB2020
“¶The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the Lord rescues him from them all.”
Psalms 34:19 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.34.19.NASB2020