Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi was beaten down by circumstances, by a long and difficult walk from Moab to Bethlehem, and I believe she was beaten down by the things she told herself about her situation. With every step she took, I think she sunk deeper and deeper into self-pity and anguish.

I’m not throwing stones. She had reason to be sad and discouraged. The outlook was indeed bleak. But don’t you find that when you are in that state of mind, you can miss the blessings right in front of you?

Naomi was greeted by family and friends who worshiped her God, something she’d been without all those years in Moab. She was home, no longer a stranger in a strange land. And she had Ruth by her side, evidence of unconditional love and support. I think Naomi missed the blessing that was Ruth because she may have seen her as just another mouth to feed, someone to be responsible for when she couldn’t even take care of herself.

Namoi was so low, she didn’t want to be reminded that her name meant “pleasant.” Call me bitter, she said, because that was the cup she was drinking from.

I don’t know what you are going through right now. Just don’t let the circumstances cause you to miss the blessings right in front of you. You say you can’t see any? Then remember all the ways God has blessed you in the past. Read Psalm 103 and be reminded of his mercies that are new every day.

Every. Day.

Naomi will come out of this funk as we’ll see in the next few chapters. You’ll come out of your’s, too, if you allow yourself to recognize the blessings God has showered on you, if you hear Him promise to see you through even this.

Did you wake up feeling like Marah, bitter water good for nothing? I pray you’ll let God turn you into a Naomi, pleasant, gentle, and beautiful. Keep your eyes on Him who works all things out for the good of those who love Him.

Don’t miss the many blessings that are there right in front of you.