Bitter

 She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
Ruth 1:20 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rut.1.20.ESV

Preachers often give Naomi a raw deal, as though she was bitter against God. To give her a bit of consideration however, 'Naomi', or 'pleasant' didn't seem an apt name at this stage. She had lost her husband and sons, so wasn't feeling like pretending everything was okay.

To be fair to Naomi's critics, she forgot in her bitterness that she hadn't returned to her hometown empty like she suggests in the next verse. Her daughter in law Ruth refused to abandon her. Ruth even adopted the God of Naomi for herself.

When we do experience bitter providences, we mustn't let them blind us to blessings, even in the present. We need to remember past mercies and trust God for future grace. Things turned out wonderfully for Naomi and Ruth.

Things will turn out wonderfully for those who trust in God, if not in this life, then assuredly in the next. Jesus is our Redeemer. In Him we enjoy every spiritual blessing.

'Dear Lord, forbid that we should ever become bitter against You. May we count our blessings and be grateful for Your goodness to us in Christ, in whose name we pray, amen'

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