“And she said unto them, call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me”. Ruth 1:20(KJV)
Life comes in seasons, like we have dry season and rainy season, winter and summer so it is sometimes in the Christian life. Sometimes, we face seasons that seem to contradict scriptural description of the Christian life, a time where everything appears to negate the Christian faith. Sometimes things we believe should not happen to believers begin to happen and we cannot find explanations for such life experiences and challenges.
We see the ugly season in a biblical character like King Asaph. He acknowledged God’s goodness to Israel but on the contrary, he could not experience the goodness in his personal life. His case was different. The ungodly seemed to be doing much better than him, they were never in trouble like him, rather, they prospered in all they did, to the point that he envied them instead of himself being the one to be envied. His steps almost slipped, he almost denied the faith because of the season that seemed to contradict his faith (Psalms 73:1-19).
The scripture admonished that we remain resolute and preach the word in season and out of season. When it is convenient and when it is not convenient. (2Timothy 4:1-2). God’s chosen people faced a season of contradiction when famine hit the city of Bethlehem. Elimelech and his family could not cope, rather than seek God’s face for help, Elimelech choose to take his family to Moab in search of greener pasture. The two sons married from Moab but their momentary relief was short-lived because death snatched Elimelech and his two sons leaving Naomi with two daughter’s in-law, Ruth and Orpah. This move opened door for the worst season of contradiction. Naomi heard that God has visited his people so she decided to return to Bethlehem. On her return, the people came to welcome her but then, life has dealt bitterly with her. She has moved from sweetness to bitterness. “Call me not Naomi (Sweetness), call me Mara (Bitterness), for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me”.
When faced with seasons of contradiction, always remember that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Like Job who faced terrible season of contradiction, you can bounce back. (Job 42:10-17).
PRAYER: Oh God, grant me the wisdom to handle every season of life in Jesus name.
Rev Diolu Vincent