Don’t you love it when God gives you fresh eyes to see new truths when reading a familiar bible story? It just proves there is no bottom to God’s wisdom and guidance for our lives.
Yesterday, I was reading about Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, and a certain phrase seemed to leap from the page.
God has dealt bitterly with me.
A part of me sympathized with Naomi. There have been times in my life where I may not have said it aloud, but felt as though God was dealing bitterly with me. I think we all have at one time or another.
Naomi was a God-fearing woman who loved God and her family. Loyal to her husband, Naomi left her home for a new land. She did everything right, and yet, she lost both her husband and her sons. Her mind must have been full of question marks. The only thing clear to her was this…
God has dealt bitterly with me.
The odd thing about God is sometimes He explains His purpose and other times He doesn’t.
Sometimes he heals and sometimes He doesn’t.
Sometimes He restores and others times He does not.
Where does that leave us? It leaves us full of question marks.
When my life is nothing more than a big question mark, I tend to lean on Romans 8:28. “For God causes all things to work together for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”
This familiar verse reminds me that while I may never know Gods reasoning for my sufferings, He will give purpose back to the years that had questions marks. He will restore those years of trouble with something good.
Favor once again fell upon Naomi when her daughter-in-law married Boaz. It was like God was saying, “See, I’ve made it up to you.”
God always sees the bigger picture. Because He does, I’m learning not to bitterly complain about my circumstances but to wait on God to restore goodness and peace to my life. For whatever God doses, He does well—even if at first it doesn’t appear so.
mary says
Thank you for your wonderful insight into the book of Ruth. My friends & I are studying the book of Ruth now. Your devotion today will add to our understanding of God's Word.
When I have that question mark in my walk with the Lord I need to to remember; I am just a line on the page, He knows the whole novel. I just need to trust Him. When I question & no answer comes I remember; Deuteronomy 29:29 "There are secrets the Lord your God has not revealed to us, but these words which He has revealed are for us & our children to obey forever"
Sometimes it is just not for me to know!
Blessings & Peace Mary
Shawn says
God knows the plans he has for us, and through life's ups and downs, it sometimes get hard to wait for God to move on our behalf. Through promises not yet being fulfilled, I can feel Naomi on saying, "God has dealt bitterly with me". But thank God for His written word that let me know that He has prepared an expected end; or else I wouldn't make it!!