Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD himself has raised his fist against me.”
Ruth 1:13b
When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. “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 1:19-20
Sometimes tragedy causes a person to lose their faith, at other times, faith remains, but that person starts to blame God and doubt His love.
Both are responses that will lead us to self pity, resentment and spiritual blindness.
Walking to the swans' nest last week, I met a lovely Christian lady, who I hadn't seen for 20 years.
When I asked about her family she told me that her husband had died of cancer a couple of years ago.
She wasn't bitter, she didn't blame God. She simply accepted that in this world we will have trouble, struggles and bereavement! There are no free passes for believers.
Of course she was sad, but she said she was grateful for the happy times they'd spent together.
When I left her, I looked back and could see that she had a happy glow about her.
She was enjoying the beauty of creation around her.
Who knows what spiritual battles she'd had to fight during the times of grief, but she had come through as gold, bless her.
Now what about Naomi? Her self pitying response didn't do her any favours, did it?
At first she didn't appreciate the Lord's Hand in providing a loving companion for her in Ruth, to comfort her in her sorrow.
When tragedy strikes, as believers, we have decisions to make about what our response will be.
Perhaps the greatest example of the right reaction to this is Job.
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
He lost everything (satan had attacked him after asking God's permission)! His wife even wanted him to curse God and die.
But his heart response was to still bless the name of the Lord.
Amazing!
God forbid that we have to pass through such utter devastation to challenge our faith.
Some of you reading this may be facing dark times of grief and loss of various kinds.
Dear one, I pray that you will be given grace to hold on to the only One able to bring you through and comfort your soul.
Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He called you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.
1 Peter 5:10💗
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