2019 / 11 / 28

God makes no promise that everything will be pleasant for you

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi [Pleasant]; call me Mara [Bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

Naomi left pleasant and came back bitter
- she lost all her family
we don’t see anything specific about her relationship with God (except maybe that she had sons who married non-Hebrews and she chose to return to her old people in the end)

There are times when God gives you reason to be bitter
It doesn’t seem that this is about “don’t do X in your relationship with God”
- it seems it’s just something that happens, like Job.

Don’t be surprised by things that make you feel bitter — God has made no promise that everything will be pleasant on earth
- it’s ok if life is unpleasant
Naomi gives a good example of a practical response to losing everything
- Surround yourself with the people of God

God makes no promise that everything will be pleasant for you

Ruth 1:20-21

Observations

Things God Does and other interpretations

Application