My Name Is Overcomer!نموونە

Storms Yield to Grace!

What happened to Naomi in Bethlehem?

Naomi returned to Bethlehem widowed, childless, and poor with Ruth, her Moabite widowed daughter-in-law, who refused to part from Naomi. Subsequent events also revealed God’s grace had also refused to part from Naomi.

Generations before Naomi’s need, God had provided for her in Leviticus 23:22, NLT by commanding the Israelites, “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God.”

God used Ruth’s decision to gather grain to guide her to Boaz’s field. Grace flourished in Boaz’s field. Extending generosity to Ruth, Boaz instructed his workers, “Let her glean where there’s still plenty of grain on the ground – make it easy for her. Better yet, pull some of the good stuff out and leave it for her to glean. Give her special treatment” (Ruth 2:15-16, MSG).

Ruth’s first day haul of grain and leftover food amazed Naomi. Who had been so generous? Ruth said Boaz. Knowing Boaz to be her deceased husband’s wealthy close relative with caregiver responsibilities, Naomi acknowledged God’s faithfulness and her own misjudgment. In Ruth 2:20, MSG, she marveled, “Why, GOD bless that man! GOD hasn’t quite walked out on us after all! He still loves us, in bad times as well as good!”

What an aha moment! God loves us in good and difficult times!

Reflections:

Why are we prone to thinking God loves us less in difficult times?

Scriptural Demonstration of God’s steadfast love for us:

Psalms 139:4-5, TPT: “…You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. You have laid your hand on me!”

1 Corinthians 13: 8, TPT: “Love never stops loving.”

When difficult circumstances arise, know they are perfect platforms for demonstration of God’s grace. This plan stops at an exciting transition point. God didn’t change Naomi’s name, the storms are over, and hope is rising in Naomi’s heart. Please read chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Ruth to learn of Naomi’s and Ruth’s legacies. Spoiler alert and reminder: God is sovereign!

Beloved child of God, you are united with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. So, live victoriously and declare My Name is Overcomer!

Congratulations on completing this plan! If you want to read more about strategies for being an overcomer, I recommend my book, Speak Over The Fear. Please visit my website for more details.