Pleasant or Bitter
The book of Ruth is a great blessing in so many ways. It is a wonderful love story. It shows us real commitment from Ruth. However, it is also a tragic story. It begins with the death of Naomi's husband and then ten years later the death of her two sons. She was left alone, except for her two daughter-in-laws. She decided to return to her home in Bethlehem from her sojourn in Moab. She encouraged both daughter-in-laws to stay behind, but Ruth would not leave her, so they both went back. As they arrived in Naomi's home town, her friends were excitedly calling out her name, Naomi, and welcoming her home. However, Naomi said to call her Bitter instead, because God, the Strong One, and ruined her with the deaths of her husband and sons. (Ruth 1:20,21) What we need to realize is that Naomi means "Pleasant." She had decided not to be pleasant, but to be bitter. We can all learn from this.
When the trials of life come, we can either become bitter or become better. God never intends to hurt us when He sends the storms or allows the difficulties. He never intends for us to allow bitterness to spring up in our life. (Hebrews 12:15) God loves us, and He is there to comfort and strengthen us in times of tragedy. If we depend on His provision, we will grow in our faith and in our endurance. Then, the next time we have a trial, we will be more able to handle it like Jesus would. However, if we decide to be bitter, and we get upset with God for allowing us to have trouble, we will not benefit the way the Lord wants us to. We will miss His grace and peace, and we will get farther from Him, instead of drawing near. Let's decide not to be bitter. Let's be pleasant, no matter what happens in our life, so all will see the strength of the Lord through us.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ruth 2-4.
When the trials of life come, we can either become bitter or become better. God never intends to hurt us when He sends the storms or allows the difficulties. He never intends for us to allow bitterness to spring up in our life. (Hebrews 12:15) God loves us, and He is there to comfort and strengthen us in times of tragedy. If we depend on His provision, we will grow in our faith and in our endurance. Then, the next time we have a trial, we will be more able to handle it like Jesus would. However, if we decide to be bitter, and we get upset with God for allowing us to have trouble, we will not benefit the way the Lord wants us to. We will miss His grace and peace, and we will get farther from Him, instead of drawing near. Let's decide not to be bitter. Let's be pleasant, no matter what happens in our life, so all will see the strength of the Lord through us.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ruth 2-4.