Bitter or Better – Which will it be?
For Women by Women
Submitted by Trish Williams
May 9, 2025
Ru 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Naomi’s husband had taken her and their two sons to Moab, a place of idol worshippers, away from familiar things, family, and friends. Over the course of time Elimelech died, the two sons married, and then they died. Truly, she had experienced some very difficult things during her stay in Moab.
Yet, we see that her two daughters-in-law had a great deal of love for her. (Ruth 1:9,14) Why would that be? In all that Naomi had gone through, she had maintained a testimony that spoke not only of the bitterness that God had allowed, but also the goodness of God upon her.
The first evidence of her testimony is that both Orpah and Ruth wanted to be with her. There was something about her presence that ministered to them, and they wept at her bidding them to return. Certainly, Naomi had plenty to complain and be angry about in the eyes of sinful man, but not in the eyes of the Almighty. Rather than a fleshly reaction of complaint, poor me, and anger, Naomi had maintained a righteous spirit.
Secondly, it seems that Naomi’s testimony had testified of God’s goodness and provisions, even in the dark and burdensome trials. Ruth 1:16-17 gives evidence that Ruth had seen a life that had convinced her that there was indeed an Almighty. She then had chosen for Him to be her God. She was willing to leave behind home, family, friends, customs, and the gods of her country. Could it be that she had learned from the life of Naomi that – God will provide?
In verse 18, the word “stedfastly” described the mind of Ruth regarding five specific things. We could say, “her mind was made up.” Ruth knew what God wanted her to do, and Naomi realized that nothing she could say or do would change it.
What determination of mind do others see in us?
The next three chapters continue to testify of the relationship between them. Ruth worked, cared for, and freely gave to Naomi – as if she was her very own mother. Each day Ruth shared the events of her day, listened to, and followed the counsel of Naomi.
Circumstances have and will come in life that present us with choices. May we become better through them that others might see the goodness of Almighty God and desire to know and trust Him, as did Ruth.
Consider – God doesn’t look for success, but rather for submission.
