Tuesday, October 16, 2018

DAILY READINGS: 2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Do not call me Naomi. Ruth 1:20, NKJV

Life had been very hard on Naomi. Things had gone from “pleasant” (Naomi) to “bitter” (Mara). She had gone from being a wife and mother to the sorrow losing both her husband and her sons. And to add even more stress, she was also now the mother-in-law to two Moabite widows. Moab was no place for a widow; Israel was. The providence of God was found in the place of God. We don’t know if Naomi had any say in the original move, but she ended up suffering its consequences. Life can be very harsh and cruel, and we need to choose how we react. When she finally saw things from God’s perspective, she became “Naomi” again in truth. —N. C. Funston

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Take my hand, precious Lord.—Dorsey