Manna for Your Morning

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness. I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” — Ruth 1:20-21 (AMP) Naomi was very bitter at the loss of her husband and sons, but look how Yahweh blessed her life in the end. (See Ruth 4:16-17) May we let no root of bitterness spring up in our hearts during difficult times of loss and grief. Also, don’t judge a matter before it’s time. Everything happens at the time appointed by GOD. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP) Yahweh eventually works all things together for good, not on our timetable but on His. Naomi didn’t look at ...

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” — Ruth 1:20-21 (NLT) After the death of her husband, and later, her two sons, Naomi felt that the LORD had raised His fist against her. (See Ruth 1:13) Instead of being called Naomi, which means pleasant, she told them to call her Mara, which means bitter. But look at Yahweh and His faithfulness to continue providing for her. In Ruth 1:6, He got word to her in Moab, that the LORD had blessed His people in Judah by giving them good crops again. In Ruth 1:16-17, He provided the loyalty of her daughter-in-law, Ruth, who told Naomi: “...Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May th...

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”  — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) First, Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons died. In Ruth 1:13, she said, “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!” Sometimes, our pain has a way of distorting our perspective of God. Despite the bitter life events you may face, remember that God is for you and He is with you. His Holy Spirit who dwells within us, is our comforter and helper. Naomi’s story is one of perseverance. Even though she returned to her home town empty, she had more than she realized. God was with her and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, stood by her side and listened to her instruction. As a result, Ruth married Boaz and bore a son, and Naomi was able to care for her grandchild. Then the women said to N...

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty.” — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) Naomi was to busy looking at her losses, the death of her husband and two sons, to see what she did have. She had a faithful daughter-in-law who was committed to her and her God. In the midst of adversity and affliction and even extreme suffering, we must remember that God is on our side and He is in the process of working everything together for good. It’s not over yet! Instead of focusing on the emptiness, what you don’t have, look at what you do have, a compassionate God who loves you. When you “feel” empty, fill your cup with the Presence of His Holy Spirit, our Comforter.