From Bitter to Better

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Ruth 1:20-21 (KJV)

When we have problems, we must not think, believe or say that God is against us or mad at us, as Naomi did. The Word of God is true, and it is true that Naomi said this. However, what she said was not true about God. God is not our problem. When we have problems, the Bible says that God is for us and is on our side. God is good and He is out for our good.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:13-17 (KJV)

God was good to Naomi and turned her captivity into restoration. Ruth’s son was called Obed, meaning serving, a servant who worships.. Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. Obed was David’s grandfather. From this line came a great worshipper, David, and ultimately through this line came Jesus.

Truly all the bad that Naomi experienced was used by God to work good out of it. This changed Naomi’s perspective about the Lord, understanding that God is good all the time.

So, when we go through difficult times, we must remember that God is good and will do us good. Remember that every good gift comes down from our heavenly Father. Look for God’s goodness in your life instead of looking for all the bad things.

I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

God has good things for you. They’re coming your way if you look for them and don’t miss them. Your life may have been bitter, but it will be better.