Breath of Power - Week 41/04

Week 41: October 4 - 10, 2004

WHEN LIFE TURNS BITTER

Key Passage: Ruth 1: 19-21

And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, 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?"

There are times when lives that had been peaceful and sweet turn stormy and bitter. This could occur with the loss of a loved one, the loss of ones precious possession, the sudden severance of an intimate relationship or betrayal by a trusted friend. Then, everything would seem to turn upside down and life would seem not worth the living. At such times, one should put his trust in the Lord and hope in His salvation (Ps 37:3-7).

Naomi left Bethlehem with her husband and two sons for greener pastures in Moab. There, life took a bitter turn and left her bereaved of her husband and two sons. She returned home a desolate widow, and by her side was a young widowed daughter-in-law. The songs of celebration that would have welcomed her were turned into a dirge. The atmosphere was grave as Naomi could hardly lift up her head as she spoke, "Do not call me Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." She felt that she had come to the depth of despair from which she would not rise again. However, that was not to be, for the Almighty was preparing her for a new song.

When life turns sour, you as a child of God should not give in to despair. You should rather set your heart right before God, seek His face and ask Him for help (Ps 121: 1). No matter how long and how dark the night may be, the dawn will still break with its light. God is the Almighty and nothing is hard for Him to do. As you look up to Him, trusting Him wholly, He will surely send help and turn around your situation - "Then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning" (Job 11: 15-17 NIV)

One day, Naomi woke up and the night-time was over. Her precious daughter-in-law had married her deceased husband’s rich relation and they had gotten a baby boy. The women of the city had a new song for 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 nourisher of your old age" (Ruth 4: 14-15). She gave praises to God as she rocked and cuddled the boy, and her well-wishers named him Obed, meaning "worshipping". He is the grand-father Of David, the progenitor of Jesus Christ.

Praise God for His power to turn around impossible situations for good. Pray for the grace to stand in faith when life turns bitter.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi



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	Week 41: October 4 - 10, 2004 WHEN LIFE TURNS BITTER Key Passage: Ruth 1: 19-21 And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, 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?" There are times when lives that had been peaceful and sweet turn stormy and bitter. This could occur with the loss of a loved one, the loss of ones precious possession, the sudden severance of an intimate relationship or betrayal by a trusted friend. Then, everything would seem to turn upside down and life would seem not worth the living. At such times, one should put his trust in the Lord and hope in His salvation (Ps 37:3-7). Naomi left Bethlehem with her husband and two sons for greener pastures in Moab. There, life took a bitter turn and left her bereaved of her husband and two sons. She returned home a desolate widow, and by her side was a young widowed daughter-in-law. The songs of celebration that would have welcomed her were turned into a dirge. The atmosphere was grave as Naomi could hardly lift up her head as she spoke, "Do not call me Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." She felt that she had come to the depth of despair from which she would not rise again. However, that was not to be, for the Almighty was preparing her for a new song. When life turns sour, you as a child of God should not give in to despair. You should rather set your heart right before God, seek His face and ask Him for help (Ps 121: 1). No matter how long and how dark the night may be, the dawn will still break with its light. God is the Almighty and nothing is hard for Him to do. As you look up to Him, trusting Him wholly, He will surely send help and turn around your situation - "Then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning" (Job 11: 15-17 NIV) One day, Naomi woke up and the night-time was over. Her precious daughter-in-law had married her deceased husband’s rich relation and they had gotten a baby boy. The women of the city had a new song for 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 nourisher of your old age" (Ruth 4: 14-15). She gave praises to God as she rocked and cuddled the boy, and her well-wishers named him Obed, meaning "worshipping". He is the grand-father Of David, the progenitor of Jesus Christ. Praise God for His power to turn around impossible situations for good. Pray for the grace to stand in faith when life turns bitter. Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi

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