Bitter and Foolish

It's interesting how one person can bring healing and another wounding where they go. Sinkholes of pain mark their every step, and they do not seem to notice or care. They are marah or bitter. You remember 'marah'- it was the name Naomi asked to be called upon her return to Bethelehem.  Her countenance and bearing were so different that the townswomen questioned if it were really Naomi at all: "So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”  (Ruth 1:20)

You might think the cause of the drastic transformation was merely the shifting of seasons, but what if her countenance was changed by grief and bitterness or anger and disappointment with God? Naomi complains, “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty  has made my life very bitter.  I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted^[me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me” (Ruth 1:20).

I  understand Naomi;I have been embittered with what God has allowed to pass through my life at times; haven't we all? I learned last week that the word marah can also mean to disobey. When we continue in disobedience and disbelief, we become hard brittle people and embitter the lives of those around us. One of the worst things that can be said of us is that it was better when we left- and it actually be true.

Let's jump ahead three generations and continue our story. Abigail, whose name means 'gift of the father' was married to a churlish, evil man named Nabal (I Samuel 25:3). This man looked successsful on the outside, but inside his wickedness was a cesspool of vanity, selfishness, and stupidity.

Nabal- his name literally means fool (v.26). He endangered his life and those of his household when he refused to honor King David's request for food afer David and his men had protected Nabal's shephereds while in the field. Because Nabal was a wicked man even his servants feared bringing him a request. Instead, they asked Abigail to bring the issue before their master. Maybe, that's why we don't confront our Nabals- we fear their tongue-lashing or isolation: "One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet, these men were very good to us. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him” (I Samuel 25:15-18).

We all have nabals or foolish people in our lives, those who refuse God's anointing, who can't be thankul for God's gift through us. In the end, Abigail, 'the gift of the father' was given to one would appreciate her- David -after her foolish husband died. Together, they gave birth to a king, Rehoboam. Despite circumstances, we can remain pleasant (naomi) and know that like Abigail, 'the gift of the Father,' will end in the hands of those who can appreciate it. Meditate on the psalm below and let it calm your ravaged heart. Your times and days are in the Father's hands. Let God take care of Nabal as He did with David. Don't get distracted by evil men's behavior and thus lose your position with the Father. Remain steadfast and do good in the land.

 

1Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

I had nearly lost my foothold.

3For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4They have no struggles;

their bodies are healthy and strong.^a

5They are free from the burdens common to man;

they are not plagued by human ills.

6Therefore pride is their necklace;

they clothe themselves with violence.

7From their callous hearts comes iniquity^b;

the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8They scoff, and speak with malice;

in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10Therefore their people turn to them

and drink up waters in abundance.^c

11They say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?”

12This is what the wicked are like—

always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;

in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14All day long I have been plagued;

I have been punished every morning.

15If I had said, “I will speak thus,”

I would have betrayed your children.

16When I tried to understand all this,

it was oppressive to me

17till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

18Surely you place them on slippery ground;

you cast them down to ruin.

19How suddenly are they destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors!

20As a dream when one awakes,

so when you arise, O Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.

21When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

22I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before you.

23Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

27Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge
I will tell all of your mighty deeds. (Psalm 73)

May God make an end to every nabal in your life,
M.J.

"Pursuits"

“Pursuits”

Some men spend their lives chasing  .  .    .

Their dad’s shadow

Some men spend their lives dashing after

small balls………………………..

………………………… in their own field of dreams

Child’s-play

 instead of God-sized ambition and courage

Makes a midget of many a man

Gilt-covered riches

When the real treasure

Is the soul of every man

Intellect, instead of wisdom

Greed, instead of compassion

The expedient for the eternal

The cheap for the priceless

The common for the rare

Dung for gold

These are the choices set before you

Everyday

Choose wisely

For an answer, each man must give

Of how he has spent

The currency of each day

Spend wisely

                                                                                               

To build a home, not a house

                                                                                                To unite a family, not estrange its members

                                                                                                To heal, not crush

                                                                                                To serve, not command

Leave an inheritance

That blesses and increases

The sphere of your influence

even after

Your death

So that your sons walk

not in your shadow

But in the footprints

you leave………………………………….

………………………………………………

……………………………………a clear path to eternity

That is the inheritance I wish to bequeath to you

- Daddy God

My Son

To win approval

To be esteemed

The little boy

In you needs that

so much

But Jesus has said that

you are accepted in the Beloved

Fear not, little one

More than catch and ball

or fishing

You needed the attention

the bonding

Look closely at

His scarred hands

Your name is inscribed inside….

See

Climb into Papa’s lap

Little Him hold you close

Hear His heart beat

 He will speak all the words

Your dad never could

because He had never

heard them spoken before

O’ how He loves you

He longs to free you from

Every fear

To kiss every spiritual boo-boo

He wants you to rest

between His shoulders

O’ How He loves you

“When you took your first breaths

in this realm’s  cool morning air

so different from heaven’s

I held my breath

My son, I have captured

every tear in my  bottle

In every one of your days

I have written them all

In my book

At night, I watched you sleep

Memorized every angle of  your face

I counted every hair on your head

You are that dear to me

I give my angels charge of you

To guard and protect you

Even while you ran from me

I walked the dusty road

Looking every day for your return

O’ how I love you, my son

From the cradle to the grave

I will Be, here

The one who holds

Your hand as you graduate

from earth to heaven”

                                                                                                                  - Daddy God

A Change of Clothing

In order to marry, one needs a change of clothing, right? Most folks don't get married in jeans and a t-shirt or their work dungarees.  I had not given it much thought, but Ruth had to change from her garments of mourning. Ruth and Naomi had to loose their black shrouds of widowhood that signified loss and death to embrace their new status as a bride and mother of the bride.

God promises us that "Never again will [we] will be called Forsaken, but instead we will be known as "the Bride of God" (Isaiah 62:4).  No more Azubah- "Forsaken" and Shemamah, "Desolate," but Hephzibah, "My delight is in her" and Beulah- "Married."

For Ruth, such an idea must have seemed ridiculous. She was a poor foreign widow, saddled with a bitter mother-in-law. Who could possibly want to be a part of their story? Into their story arrives Boaz. Into our own, arrives our Kinsmen Redeemer, Y'Shua. The Lord claims us as His bride (v.5) He rejoices "over [us] as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride" (v.5). He commands us to "clothe [ourselves] with strength; put on [our] beautiful clothes]. Rise from the dust and sit in a place of honor " (Isaiah 52).  He places a "crown of beauty instead of ashes; blessings instead of mourning, praise instead of despair" (Isaiah 61:3).  He then commissions us to rebuild the ancient ruins and repair the cities to dwell in ( v.4).

You are rightly "overwhelmed with joy in the Lord [ our] God (v.10), "for He has dressed you with the clothing of salvation and dressed you in a robe or righteousness. (Ezekiel 16:10). The Lord declares, "I bathed  . . . and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck,and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord." (Ezekiel 16:10-14). I hope that we will not squander these gifts like the nation of Israel did.

Naomi wisely instructs Ruth to "Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do” (Ruth 4:3,5). Like Ruth, we rise up and put off  our mourning clothes. We rise up from the place where depression, disappointment, death of vision, unmet needs, unhealed hurts, and wound spirits have prostrated us.  We may have to crawl to the altar where our Beloved waits and lie down at His feet,  but He lifts us up to a place of beauty. However, friends, we must leave our garments of death behind to walk into the beautiful future He has for us. God can be trusted. He will not allow us to dry on the vine. He will take the pain of our loss and produce great blessings for us and others.

Transformation is radically beautiful- it attracts others. Just as bitterness can be a magnet for more pain, joy and health can attract God's best for us. God wants to clothe us  in His righteousness, and his beautiful fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). His grace and kindness make even the most common of us truly beautiful brides. Look up into the smiling face of your Redeemer and Kumi Ori- Arise Shine.


Welcome to Beulah-Land,
M.J.

"Only the Sun Has Wings"

How did she do it? We know it took incredible courage to leave her homeland and family.  We realize she was quite brave to embark on a new journey to plant roots with a people she didn't even know. But through the long difficult seasons of hard labor, selflessness, and sacrifice, how did Ruth not become embittered? The seasons of service and wondering if the God of the Israelites noticed or even cared- Boaz was of only secondary importance. Even he recognized that Ruth was coming under the wings of Adonai.  He declares, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). Boaz will foreshadow the words of the psalmist, David, his own grandson: "How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge under the shadow of Your wings!" (Psalm 36:7). It makes one wonder if David was thinking of this story when he wrote those words.

Although unexpected, Ruth becomes the pursuer and humbles herself even further: “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer^[ of our family.” The Amplified Bible expounds, “Spread your wing [of protection] over your maidservant, for you are a next of kin.”  (Ruth 3:9). Ruth requests that Boaz be the physical representative of Gods' covenant grace to her. The same God who protects Ruth, a vulnerable single woman entering the night to prostrate herself before a man, full of food and drink- will protect all we are brave enough to leave in His hands. It takes God's courage and healing to wake up each many without her husband, God's strength for the bitter tale of woe she has lived with her embittered mother-in-laws, and God's endurance for the tedious and back-breaking work of gleaning in the field.

Still, God restores her dignity, beauty, and physical strength. The Lord promises you, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall" (Malachi 4:2).God promises us angelic protection as we serve Him (Psalm 91:11), but this protection is even greater because it comes directly from God's throne. God himself  "Covers you with his wings; He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection" (Psalm 91:4). God rides from heaven to protect you (Psalm 18).

Only Y'Shua can rise with healing in His wings. God promised that your wounds will heal quickly. Isaiahh 58:8 assures you that "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Your godliness will lead us forward and the glory of the Lord will protect us from behind. The dark will shine around us as bright as the sun." The Lord will guide you continually- giving you water when you are dry and restore your strength. We wonder what our obedience and service will yield. There is our promise in blood-covered ink. His promises are true; His plans really are to bless and give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 2911)- even when that is so hard to believe, given our circumstances. But, we walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).

Ruth's soul said "yes" despite everything- despite every deprivation and disappointment. Despite the uncertainty. God requires more of thee and me. We have been predestined to do the works created for us before the creation of the earth (Ephesians 2:10) . He is calling us to higher things. Let your heart and soul say yes.  I understand how you can look around you and see lack and unfulfilled promises and selfish people. It can be bewildering to trust that God can make something good out of the circumstances in which you find yourself. But, my friend, this place is the first step of faith. Like the one Ruth took when she left her family, gods, and culture. I invite you to meditate on the psalm that follows, for it summarizes eloquently what God has promised to do for you and me if we revere His name and trust Him to come and save us. He will be a Promise-Keeper. He will give you beauty for ashes and a future filled with His Presence and Delight.

1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.

2I cry out to God Most High,

to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me.

3He sends from heaven and saves me,

rebuking those who hotly pursue me;       Selah

God sends his love and his faithfulness.

4I am in the midst of lions;

I lie among ravenous beasts—

men whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords. (Psalm 57:1-4)

 

Fellow Faith-Walker,

M.J.

P.S. I have a confession. I started this devotional March 19th, but I needed to learn some more lessons before it was truly ready.

"Backdoor Blessing"

What is love? Naomi eventually learned what Ruth always knew. Love protects. It guards the reputation and value of the beloved. It prepares for the beloved's future: "One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, 'My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for' " (Ruth 3:1-2). It seeks the beloved's highest good. Love is not jealous. Naomi rejoices in Ruth's marriage and subsequent birth of a son.  She stopped demanding her own way. She was kind and tender to her young charge, Obed.  She released her feelings of being wronged by God. She left her irritability behind.

The miserable woman who wanted only to be known as Mara, bitter, allowed the community women to see her and offer her blessings without once rudely throwing them back in their faces: ^"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:13-16).

She could have said, "this child is not really my grandchild." But she realized that God chose to bless through the backdoor.  When what we expected doesn't happen, we are tempted to be angry at God. But, God intends to bless us through a backdoor.  He plans on blessing us through a relationship we have never imagined. He brings into our lives someone markedly different from us so that race, culture, gender, and age become bridges, not boundries. Through a distant relative and a foreign woman, God intended to bless Naomi and Ruth. Naomi rejoiced that truth had won out- that Abba God is faithful. The enemy often comes to accuse and hurl insults, not at us, but  at our Daddy God. He tells us, "His too long in keeping his promises;" "He hasn't heard your cries." It is easy to believe that especially where other people are involved. He needs time to change us and them.  But love never gives up. Naomi saw that in Ruth when she arose every morning to work in Boaz's field.   Ruth somehow did not lose faith. Love always hopes and endures through every circumstance.

I have a friend who is traversing through a difficult time; each time he speaks of the person he loves, it is with respect, never rancor, for her ending the relationship. Love protects, even when the one who has offended doesn't deserve it. It protects reputation, honor, self-esteem, and self-concept. It speaks God's promises over the beloved and calls for God's goodness to shower that person so that he or she can walk into his or her destiny.

I have another friend who was not defended or protected by her mother, father, brothers, or husband; she has wounds that run deep that God is graciously healing. When we fail to protect those we love with our words and actions, we hurt their self-concept, self-esteem, and we leave them with questions about their worth and value. They wonder if they are worth fighting for- worth defending, worth loving.


Remember, Love Always Protects,

M.J.

" A New Song in Our Mouths"

I am your Comforter

I am your very Best Friend

I am your Beloved

I will be by your side
till the end

I am your Defender
I am your Hiding Place
I will fight for your life
till we win

I am your Dream-keeper
Your future in my Hands lie
I am Burden-bearer
Come boldly to my throne

I  am your Promise-Keeper
on me you can surely rely
I am your Prayer-Sealer
I will faithfully
and answer your  heart's cry

I placed my Glory in you
My Spirit and my grace, too
Within your earthen vessel
My Glory propels all you do


And when you awaken in glory
We'll continue
where we left off
Hand-in-hand, we stroll
through the gates
up to the throne

"Up, Abba, Up"

Regrets, Naomi had plenty of them. "If only" haunted her every thought. If she had never left Bethlehem would she still be a wife and mother or even a grandmother. But, what good would these questions and regrets get her? Look, her feet have already brought her back to the town of her birth: "So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”  (Ruth 1:19-20).When they arrive in town, everyone gathers around them. I am sure Naomi was quite anxious at being seen. I am sure she wanted to be  invisible- not be seen. Naomi seems like a person who tends to retreat from others, especially when she has been hurt. In fact, at times,  she just simply wants to give up on relationships. Being hurt, she simply  does not "want to come out and play." 
Have you ever seen an infant intent on climbing  into a mom's lap or literally climb the dad's leg to get in his arms?   I am like that child. I want up, now Abba. I don't want to be with others. I just I want my Abba.  But, in the end, Abba  tells me, "Down, Mella, down."  My Abba says,"Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17). God does not want me stunted, so like the gifted and talented student who will benefit more from public school than homeschooling, I am sent out into the germy, complicated world of real-life with all my fears and inadequacies, but with the companion of the Holy Spirit holding tightly my hand and a whole company of mighty angels.

Eventually, God opens Naomi's eyes to her blessing: “The LORD bless [Boaz]!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law: “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” (Ruth 2:20).  Is she the dead or she is being resurrected? At this point of the story, the jury is still out. Will Naomi embrace God's provision for new life or stay stuck in her pain and misery? After praise literally explodes from Naomi's lips for the provision of Boaz, she then blesses Ruth, whom she now calls daughter: Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed”  (Ruth 2. 22). She begins to think of Ruth and not just herself.

Finally, Naomi becomes an active agent in her future; she moves from victim to victor; oppressed to champion. She gets her eyes off her loss and lack and embraces the concerns of Ruth.She declares, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.  (Ruth 3:2).  Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours.  Naomi becomes an agent of God's grace and unknown to her, her own salvation: Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today”  (Ruth 3:18). Ruth follows Naomi's instructions. After Ruth and Boaz marry, Naomi is not forgotten. God restored her life: "Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.  The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David" (Ruth 4:16-17). Her faith is resurrected.

So, I am sure you are wondering what happened to that little girl I spoke of earlier. As God unclings her limbs from his waist, pulling her gently one arm at a time from her death grip around his neck where she has climbed and made a perch, she finally walks quietly down the path where Y'Shua is waiting. She hopes to meet you there someday.

Signing off,

M.J.