The Lord Has Turned Against Me

Sustaining Hope
Dark Nights of the Soul

Rejoice Anyway

Ruth 1:12-21The Message

^11-13 But Naomi was firm: “Go back, my dear daughters. Why would you come with me? Do you suppose I still have sons in my womb who can become your future husbands? Go back, dear daughters—on your way, please! I’m too old to get a husband. Why, even if I said, ‘There’s still hope!’ and this very night got a man and had sons, can you imagine being satisfied to wait until they were grown? Would you wait that long to get married again? No, dear daughters; this is a bitter pill for me to swallow—more bitter for me than for you. God has dealt me a hard blow.”
¹⁴ Again they cried openly. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye; but Ruth embraced her and held on.
¹⁵ Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back home to live with her own people and gods; go with her.”
^16-17 But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”
^18-19 When Naomi saw that Ruth had her heart set on going with her, she gave in. And so the two of them traveled on together to Bethlehem.
When they arrived in Bethlehem the whole town was soon buzzing: “Is this really our Naomi? And after all this time!”
^20-21 But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. 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. The Strong One ruined me.”

 
For Reflection

Naomi laments, whines, and bemoans her plight.  She fails to recognize the good in Ruth's decision to accompany her.  She fails to recognize the welcome hospitality offered by former friends.  Most importantly, Naomi does not comprehend the wonderful role she plays in God's plan for her and Ruth.

Find the hand of God in your life and rejoice in it.

 

Pray

that God will use you any time anywhere.  Pray, rejoicing in the Lord.