April 16 – Ruth 1:19-22
April 16 – Ruth 1:19-22
19 So the two of them went on
until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole
town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to
them, “Do not call me Naomi call me Mara, for the Almighty has
dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and
the Lord has brought me back
empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has
testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth
the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of
Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Naomi is so sorrowful and bitter. She has been emptied of
everything, or so she thinks. As the story continues to unfold, we see this is
not true. A new beginning is about to be unfolded and God has great plans for
Naomi and Ruth.
Are we moving in despair this day? Are we bitter and saddened for
events that we have experienced? May God, the lifter of our heads, remind you
that He has not finished your story. Follow Him in faith as He leads you.
Heavenly Father, there are times I do feel emptied
of happiness and just feel stress and sometimes bitterness for how life is treating
me. I know that my joy is in You, and
joy and happiness aren’t the same. Help
me lean into You on those days all I feel is emptiness, bitterness and
frustration. Help me remember my joy is
because You are my God and You made a way by sending Jesus to be Savior and
King. That alone is a reason to be
filled with joy. Help me remember You
have a plan and it isn’t just filled with happiness and good times. It can have bumps on the way. I know I have never been promised an easy
life, but with You to lean into I can have joy that goes beyond any
circumstance.
In Jesus name,
Amen!
Comments
Post a Comment