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“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.” Ruth 1:20(NLT)

Naomi was beyond heartbroken. She had moved with her husband and two sons to a new land several years before. After they settled in this new land, her husband died. Hopelessness set in. But, then her two boys grew up and married women from this land. Two new daughters-in-law would hold the possibility of new life through grandchildren. But, after ten years of both sons being married, there were still no grandchildren for Naomi. Then both of her sons died. Hopelessness pervaded. She just couldn’t take it anymore. Why was this her life?

From scripture, we know these young ladies thought highly of Naomi and were willing to travel back to her homeland of Judah with her. But Naomi could not see the hope there. She was focused on all she had lost. She was heading back to her homeland to die among her people. As the story goes, Orpah turned and headed back to Moab, but Ruth continued on with Naomi, declaring her allegiance to Naomi. Ruth traveled all the way back to Bethlehem with Naomi and, as Naomi was greeted by old friends who were excited to see her again, Naomi stated, “Don’t call me Naomi…instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty….” (Ruth 1:20-21 NLT). Wow! Ruth was standing right there beside Naomi, after having traveled so far with her, and Naomi could only see the end, the sadness, the bad. She was unable to see Ruth standing right beside her! She was without any hope.

If you know the story, you know Naomi was just around the corner from a new life which would include a new son-in-law and, finally, a grandson! Naomi had no idea what was ahead for her and how her hopeless situation would turn to hopeful, and ultimately bring Jesus Christ, who is our HOPE.  What a beautiful reminder to us that, as long as we have breath, there is always hope. Jesus is the only one who can bring hope to a hopeless situation. It’s kinda His thing!

“Lord, be our strength to hang onto hope through You when it seems as if there is no hope to see. You alone can bring life from death, beauty from ashes, and hope from hopelessness.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life