Keeping the Things of God Real

Synopsis     Ruth 2:16-3:2     8/3/2018

As the harvest continued, Ruth stayed with Boaz’s workers. Night after night she brought an abundance of provision. But Naomi understood the situation. She recognized that Boaz was a candidate to marry Ruth. If that happened, then future success and prosperity would follow for everyone.

So, Naomi began to counsel Ruth on how a relationship might form.

A Word Spoken in Distress

Naomi once said, “Do not call me Naomi [‘Sweet’]. Call me Mara [‘Bitter’], for the Almighty has made my life very bitter”.

But when it looked like Boaz had an interest in Ruth, Naomi described God as the one, “who never fails to show kindness to both the living and the dead.“

So, is she a hypocrite? Is Naomi the kind of person who only praises God when things are going well?

Keeping the Things of God Real

Sometimes I think of the saints in such lofty terms that I make them seem unrelatable. And I don’t mean to diminish the extraordinary experiences and testimonies of the saints. It’s just that sometimes I don’t imagine them in the struggle of life. My lazy thinking has me believing that the saints never struggled with anything. They were never depressed. They never questioned God. They always did what was right.

But, it’s important to realize that every saint was like me – human and weak. They all struggled with iniquity and temptation. Most all of them sinned in ways that were common to all men.

And like me, some knew such great disappointment that they became angry with God. I have been angry with God. Like Naomi, I have accused God. I have asked the hard questions in the midst of my own tears and pain. “If God is for me, then why don’t my plans work the way I want.”

Here’s the thing, God isn’t afraid of your honest questions. He’s not shy about – – He’s not offended by your accusations. He’s patient and kind. He knows that if you stick with Him, you’ll get to the truth you seek.

So go to your closet and close the door and just be honest.

“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matt 6:6