Title: No More Mara
Memorize: To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness… Isaiah 61:3 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Ruth 1:18-20 (Nkjv)
[18] When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
[19] Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
[20] But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
Message:
In today’s Bible reading, we read about Naomi’s sorrows. She was so sorrowful that she asked people to call her Mara (which means ‘bitter’). She had relocated to another land with her husband and sons. Her husband died, and her two sons got married but had no children. After about ten years, they both died also.
After enduring great loss and sorrow in a foreign land, Naomi returned with a heavy heart to her homeland, Bethlehem. However, through her fervent prayers and unwavering faith in God, she experienced divine restoration beyond measure. Though she lost three men in her life, God gave her a wonderful daughterin-law, Ruth. Naomi mentored Ruth and guided her prayerfully with godly counsel until Boaz found her and married her.
My dear child, do you know any widow or widower who is presently in pain due to his or her loss? Please reach out to such a person in prayers and try to make him or her happy in any little way you can. Your act of kindness could make such a person bounce back from his or her gloomy state to become all that God has planned for him or her.
Action Point:
Call or visit a widow or widower this week.
HYMN 64 : WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOWS YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED
1 When upon life’s billows you
are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged,
thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings,
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what
the Lord hath done.
Chorus
Count your blessings,
name them one by one;
Count your blessings,
see what God hath done;
Count your blessings,
name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised
you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4 So, amid the conflict,
whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Bible In One Year: Isaiah 30:12-33:9; Galatians 5:1-12
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye