But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband.
If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” Ruth 1:11-13
When we first meet Naomi in the first chapter of Ruth, she is an optimist”¦an enjoyable person who lived up to the meaning of her name, “pleasant.”
But as Scripture tells us, life was harsh for Naomi. It was cruel as her husband and sons all died”¦and it was supposed to have been a short stop down in Moab but lasted many years.
As a result, Naomi became a broken and bitter woman. Her countenance changed. And the joy she once knew was gone.
When life gets hard, it’s easy to become bitter like Naomi did”¦to feel that life is unjust and unfair. And sometimes it’s tempting to blame God for the terrible turn that life has taken.
Yet there was the seed of faith in Naomi’s life when she said, “I’m going back to Bethlehem.” And her faith was renewed soon thereafter.
You know, my friend, Jesus came because life can be cruel. Life can be harsh. And life can be bitter. We all deal with pain, sorrow, and grief in this world. And yet, there is hope in Jesus Christ.
No matter what you may be going through today, I pray you will let Jesus turn your hurt into the hope found only in Him. Because your renewal”¦like Naomi’s”¦could soon come!
NO MATTER WHAT YOU MAY BE GOING THROUGH THERE IS GREAT HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST!
