I’m currently studying in my Bible study the book of Ruth. This is a popular story in the Christian world, as many women say today, “I’m waiting on my Boaz.” Yet, I’m not talking about Ruth and Boaz today. Today is about her mother-in-law, Naomi.
In Ruth 1:20-21 it says, “She said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?’” (ESV). Can you hear her pain? Does she sound defensive to you? It says in the previous verses that the women only asked, “Is this Naomi?”
I’m sure they were happy to see her, but she wasn’t “pleasant” as her name means. She didn’t see the need to be joyous upon her return home. She says, “The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.” Can you blame her attitude? The love of her life was her husband. Not to mention she lost her sons. Her legacy. The children she’d cared for since birth. Now she’s back with nothing. Or so she thinks.
Naomi didn’t know that God is going to use her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, to carry on the family legacy. Their family would later bring on not only the king of Israel, but the savior of the world, Jesus. Unfortunately, Naomi doesn’t see this because she’s wrapped up in her pain. Her life didn’t turn out the way she hoped, so she didn’t see the point of having joy despite her circumstances.
How about you Christian Singles? Are you becoming bitter? Jaded? What about resentfulness? Are you angry at God because life didn’t turn out the way you prayed for? Hoped for? You thought you’d be married by now. It’s 2023 and you have no dating prospects. The last relationship broke your heart. You walked through the death of your own spouse, or perhaps you’ve faced divorce. These are things that could make anyone bitter.
Why? If God has good plans for us, why allow such pain into our lives? I wish I knew the answer, but what I can tell you is you’re not alone. Naomi didn’t come to Bethlehem back empty-handed. She didn’t even realize she and Ruth had protection on their journey back.
The last time Naomi made the trip, she had her husband to provide and care for her. Now all she has is God, and He protected her from Moab back to her hometown. Attackers could have easily harmed her and Ruth, or worse, but God covered them. He didn’t leave her empty-handed. Naomi’s just blinded by her grief.
It’s understandable, right? Life happens to us all, but the good news now is we have Jesus Christ on our side. We never walk alone. It may appear like we’re losing. Nothing’s working out. Or He’s not paying attention to us. I get it, but we still have to stand firm in His Word. He’s for us now and always.
I pray you don’t allow life to make you bitter. Take those feelings to the Lord. Lay them at His feet and ask Him to bring healing. He can restore you just like He did Naomi.
Check out The Christian Singles Hub website for information on Christian matchmaking, Christian speed dating, upcoming Christian retreats, events, trips and so much more at https://thechristiansingleshub.com/
Written by Daria White Osah
You can find Daria Here:
Devotional https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Younger-Me-Devotional-Personal-ebook/dp/B09QRKBRGB/
Her podcast Single Plus https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singleplus
& on Instagram @mysingleplus
