Even If I Thought

December 17, 2018

“Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” Ruth 1:12-13 NIV

Naomi had it all figured out. She was living a story of disappointment, pain, and bitterness. She didn’t have any hope because she thought there was only one way this story was supposed to be written. She had a husband. He died. Then her two sons died. Her only hope was in having a husband and a family line. The way her mind worked, the final chapter had been written. THE END. She had these great daughters-in-law and in-love, but the time factor was completely against them. Even if she thought there was still hope for her, even if a husband gave her sons at her age, the women couldn’t possibly be their wives. It was over. OVER. God was working against her.

Naomi was wrong on two counts. She couldn’t imagine there was still hope for her. She could only imagine one way for the story to work. She didn’t have any idea of all the options open to God. She didn’t have any idea how much He loved her, how much He knew what was best for her, and how He had the power to pull it all off and come through for her. She didn’t think there was any hope for her left, but hope was very much alive.

She was also wrong about God’s heart and hand toward her. She believed God had turned away from her. No, it was even worse than that. She thought God had turned against her and was opposing her and her dreams. WRONG. God was already working a bigger plan than she could begin to imagine. God says His thoughts are always bigger and higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). If we go with our thoughts in the dark, we will fly into a wall.

There’s always hope. God is always working. Think on THAT.

• Honestly talk to God about any traces of bitterness or hopelessness in your spirit.
• Ask Him to help you place your trust and faith in His purpose for you, and His power to bring it to pass.