The Ruth AnointingBeispiel

DAY 2: God Your Comforter

“So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women asked, ‘Is this Naomi?’ But she said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has brought great bitterness to me. I was full when I left, but the LORD has caused me to return empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has opposed me? The Almighty has brought misfortune upon me!’” –Ruth 1:19-21

God is your healer. Confess your hurts, disappointments, and griefs to Him. Naomi let the whole town know of the bitterness she was carrying. I don’t know that you should do that, but you should confess it to a senior leader in your church, your mentor, or a trusted prayer partner, and find healing. And know this: in the midst of some of the deepest losses, hurts, or disappointments, God is still working out all things for your good.

Even in extreme hardship the Lord is calling us to make sound decisions, and often decisions in seasons like this are destiny shapers. The next decision you make can lead you on a lengthy detour, or it could lead you on the fast track to reap your God-ordained harvest.

Burdened with great grief at the loss of both her husband and two sons, Naomi’s opportunities in a foreign land were greatly limited. At that time in Middle Eastern culture, an aging, poor widow had limited options for survival with no family around to support her. She had to think fast about her survival. She was not willing to sit in Moab, have a pity party, and waste away. With whatever strength she could muster, she returned to the land of promise and provision.