My Name Is Overcomer!Sýnishorn

Storms Continue In Moab.

So, what happened next?

Elimelech died. Both sons married Moabite women. Within about 10 years, both sons died. Naomi was now widowed, childless, and poor with her Moabite widowed daughters-in-law. Yet in Moab, Naomi heard the famine had ended in Bethlehem and “the Lord had given his people a good harvest” (Ruth 1:6, CEV). So, Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem.

Naomi means “Pleasant”. Upon return to Bethlehem after her husband’s and sons’ deaths, she told the townspeople to call her Mara, which means “Bitter”. Naomi rationalized, “…The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t…” (Ruth 1:21, MSG).

Naomi’s downward focus on her losses yielded bitterness and a self-imposed name change.

Do Naomi’s rationalizations resonate with you?

Reflections:

Do you let challenging circumstances define you negatively? If you do, why?

Scriptural Demonstration of God’s nearness in our challenges:

Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Joshua 1:5, NIV: “…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 46:4, NIV: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Romans 8:35-37, AMP: “Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, ...Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors …”