Dual-Minded in Hardship

Scripture: “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Ruth 1:20-21

Observation: Upon returning to Bethlehem from Moab, Naomi renames herself. Her original name meant 'pleasant' and her new name means 'bitter'. In doing this, she attributes the blame for her hardships on the Lord. This was also a bit implied previously ... when she tried to send her daughters-in-law back to their homes, she stated that the Lord had turned against her (v13) and that Orpah was returning to her old home and to her own gods (v15).

However, Naomi is returning to Bethlehem because of the Lord's faithfulness and kindness. It explicitly said she had heard that the Lord has paid attention to the situation in Israel and has ended the famine. She also knows that, as a widow, the Lord has created laws that will at least provide for her survival in Israel in the form of explicit care for widows and provisions made to the destitute. It is by these provisions that Ruth would even be allowed to glean from the barley and wheat fields of Boaz. In other words, Naomi simultaneously feels that Yahweh has brought hardship on her - opposed and afflicted her - yet also believes he remains her hope for continued subsistence and life.

Application: Naomi reflects the attitude of many toward God, especially those who believe in the existence of God but without a relationship with him. For those, God is an all-powerful being, in control of the universe, and as such that must mean he controls - and inflicts - both provision and affliction. In times of good, they give God some credit, and in times of hardship they give God much blame ... either in the form of directly believing he caused it, or at least by wondering why he didn't prevent it.

I do wonder sometimes why certain hardships occur. I know the basic answers, but I struggle with the application of those principles in specific situations. And I don't think that's rare or wrong, as long as such confusion doesn't include attributing evil intent upon God. God has tested me, or more accurately he has used earthly circumstances to test and strengthen my faith. He will do that again.

Like Naomi, in the midst of hardship it is possible to see God's hand within the problem while also believing he also has the future solution. And he does.

Prayer: Lord, may your hand always be in my life. I know you are in the storm though you are not the storm, you are in the fire though you are not the fire, you are in the earthquake though you are not the earthquake. Today I listen to follow your still, small voice. Amen.