So then, Naomi is in a very difficult place. How is she to overcome this complex position she finds herself in and resolve the bitterness of her heart.
First, she should recognize who is in charge....who is in control! - Naomi Calls him “The Almighty”
The Hebrew word “Shaddai” means the almighty one who does as He pleases! - Do you know where this word is found most frequently in the Bible? JOB! (OVER 30 times) - Yes God was the almighty and he did as He pleased with Job. Will Naomi (you) bow to the authority of Shaddai in your life?
Secondly, Naomi, (you) must see that there are good People! Sometimes we get hurt and we think everyone is mean at heart and that they will hurt us if given a chance! We become skeptical and pessimistic. But look at this!
Ruth 1:16–17
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Third, Naomi (you) must wait for the goodness of God! You may have been slammed! You don’t know what is going on! Your head is spinning....and your heart is breaking - Hold ON, Just keep living and live honestly and honorably! Don’t give up (on God or people) - Wait for the goodness of God. I would like for you to read Psalm 27 here.
Listen to Mara....I mean Naomi....Things are looking up! When she heard where Ruth had gleaned that day!
Ruth 2:20
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Naomi, as recorded in the book of Ruth, may have believed for a time that God somehow made a mistake in taking her husband and sons from her, for she said He “brought me back empty.” It was no mistake, however. God was purposely unfolding His divine plan for humanity in Naomi’s life and in the death of her loved ones. Take note, dear one, that if Naomi’s son would have lived, Ruth would have remained his wife. Without the death of her husband, Ruth would not have been free to meet and marry Boaz, who became her kinsman redeemer. Ruth would not have given birth to their son, Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who is the father of David, from whose lineage comes the Christ (Romans 8:28).
Fourth, Naomi (you) must have forgiveness in your heart. To overcome bitterness forgiveness is a requirement.
If we are angry at someone.....bitter toward someone, then forgiveness is required! Who do you think Naomi had to forgive? Do you think Naomi had to forgive Elimelech? He was the one who forsook the land and went to Moab! He is the one who took her so far away, got her in a mess and then died! Do you think she had to forgive her sons? After all they died and left her too didn’t they? Some people will get angry at people when they die! Do you think Naomi had to forgive God? There is a common philosophy that is taught in some brands of counseling.... that sometimes you have to forgive God…This is an error. You never have to forgive God, because God never does wrong! Acceptance of hard things at the hand of a loving God is not easy. I encourage you to seek God in your circumstances, surrender to Him, and trust that He is unfolding a divine plan that you cannot see right now, just as He did in the case of Naomi and Ruth. God’s sovereignty is always balanced by His love, and He promises to bring good out of every tragedy and heartache.
I want to speak you some more again next week about this