November 9, 2018
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given you for today is from the book of Ruth 4: 14,15, “Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourishes of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
My beloved children some of you are so hurt and worried in your life , You think that you have become a burden to your parents. With much pain your parents have educated you. Yet you could neither secure a good job nor prosper in your business. You feel so ashamed of yourself. You consider yourself a waste because you seem to be so useless and you are unable to keep any one happy in your family. This is how Naomi felt when she lost her husband and her two grown up sons. Though married they had no children. Her daughter in laws, both Orpah and Ruth had become widows. She was in a miserable state of life. There was no one to comfort her.
The name “Naomi “indicates “good, pleasant, lovely, winsome.” Naomi is the wife of Elimelech. A famine causes them to move with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion from their home in Judea to Moab. Things have gone from bad to worse for Naomi. Not only had she lost her husband but lost both of her sons in untimely deaths. However she hears that God has provided food for His people again and so Naomi made a very important decision to return to Bethlehem. Bethlehem means a house of bread. Naomi’s decision to return from Moab, is a turning point in her life. Naomi insisted her daughter in laws to stay back in Moab. But they lifted up their voice and wept, Orpah kissed her mother in law, and returned to her home. But Ruth clung unto Naomi. She chose to follow her and care for her rather than to seek a husband in Moab. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, people in the city were excited because of them. and they said, “Is this Naomi ? “So she said to them, ”Do not call me Naomi but call me Marah.” Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s family. His name was Boaz, a man of great wealth. Ruth worked in his farm. She gleaned in his fields, and later became his wife. Through Boaz, she bore a son and called him Obed. Thus Naomi was blessed with a grandson. Then the women in the town blessed Naomi saying, “The Lord has not forgotten you, for your daughter in law has borne you a grandson.” Thus Naomi who experienced bitterness in her earlier days was blessed in the latter part of her life.
God changed her bitterness into sweetness. In the same manner God will change your situation. In case you are going through a bitterness in your life, kindly hope in God’s word and He will transform your life. All you need is to listen and obey to God’s word.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord bless my children to listen to your soft voice and to obey You, at all times especially when they go through bitterness in their life. May they experience Your goodness at times of distress and bless them to overcome all trials in their life and be successful in their endeavour. In Jesus Name we pray.
Amen.
