Woman of the Word: Naomi

Wow, ya neh? I was supposed to have sent this Monday morning and because I didn't in the morning I just thought I'd send it next week and no one will notice anyway. But the Holy Spirit wouldn't let me. I'm telling you I had no peace. And now that I'm about to send this, I'm feeling a lot more at peace. So I pray this speaks to you and that God really speaks to your heart. Glory be to God forever. Amen.

Let's get on with the message friend.

So because it is still Woman's month, we are continuing with our series called Woman of the Word series. And today we are looking at the life of a much older woman. You were introduced to her at the beginning of the series. She is Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi.

This woman was incredible. Her story begins in the book of Ruth whereby she was married to Elimelech who leads her and their two sons to live in the land of Moab. They left Judah, which was the land where God's people lived, and went to a foreign land. But when they had settled in the land of Moab, Elimelech passed away. Later on, Naomi's two sons married Moabite women who were Ruth and Orpah. But ten years later, Naomi's sons also passed away. Naomi decided to go back to her homeland in Judah because in Moab there was nothing left for her. She had lost her male relatives and became paralyzed with grief.

She decided to go back to Judah because she had heard that God was good to His people in Judah. When she arrived, everyone greets her by name.

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

Naomi said all this because she was at the lowest point in her life. She had absolutely nothing to her name either than Ruth who decided to abandon everything she knew and her family to be with Naomi. With her loved ones deceased and her experiencing hardship in the land of Moab, she felt that God had dealt with her bitterly. As a sign to show her grief, she went as far as to change her name from Naomi which means sweet and pleasant, to Mara which means bitter.

How often do we do the same thing friend. When life gets tough and is filled with challenges and pain, we are so quick to conclude that God dealt with us bitterly. But what Naomi does not realize at the time is that God drew her back to Himself. Scripture says that we come to God because the Spirit brings us to Him. There is no way our own will could bring us to God because our flesh opposes Him. The Spirit pulls us one way (to God) and the flesh another way. So for us, even remaining in God is because He continues to draw us to Himself.

Now even though Naomi was in the hardest season of her life, God was still at work. He drew her to Himself, which God always does for all of us. It doesn't matter how far gone you are, God still draws you to Himself and He calls you by name. He wants you. I mean, this is the God who leaves the 99 to find 1, you are the one. And if you feel like you are now part of the 99 and He no longer cares about you that's not true. You were once the one and He chased after you. Now that you are part of the 99, you have the great privilege of walking in a close relationship with Him. You have full access to Him, His presence, and everything else. He still continues to pursue you and draws you to do the same. Which is evident with Naomi.

Through the life of Ruth, Naomi is also blessed. God gives her another son who was born to Ruth and Boaz. God still showed His favour to Naomi. Because Naomi returned back to God's people and where God's presence was, she was blessed. It took her being leaving Moab and things going badly before she returned to Judah. Sometimes that's the same for us. It takes us going through difficult circumstances before we realize our deep need for God. And in that deep need, He will show up. He is indeed a good God. And He loves you, friend.

Journal prompts:

1. What was the lowest point in your life?

2. How did God show up for you at your weakest point?

3. How has God been faithful to you so far?