Our Good Father

I had the privilege of watching a young lady and her dad for a few minutes. She had a little puppy but needed to go take care of something that meant she couldn't take the puppy. She asked her dad if he would take care of the puppy while she was away. He took the leash and as she went off to attend to what had called her away, her dad looked after the puppy, played with it and petted it. The young lady knew her puppy was in good hands. She had entrusted her puppy to her dad and had full faith and trust in her dad. She didn't look around a corner, call lots of times, or even seem concerned when she returned. Her dad had kept her puppy safe. 

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:36 NKJV

This reminded me of the faith and trust we need to have in our heavenly Father. We can come to God with every care amd concern.  We can place it in His care amd know He is going to care about it just as He promised.  He knows our needs and cares about what we care about.

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Matthew 6:8 NKJV

Too many times, we go to the Lord and make our requests known, but refuse to trust Him to take care of it. We pick it up and take it back to worry over, fret about, and try to solve ourselves. God wants us to trust Him and have faith that when we ask, He will answer. He will provide, bless, and protect.  He is a good Father.

 

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.   For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.   If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?   Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?   If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 11:9‭-‬13 KJV

God's promises are Yes and Amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20) He wants nothing more but to pour out His best gifts on His children.  He wants to give salvation, joy, peace, comfort, protection, victory, power, etc.  There is so much our heavenly Father has in store. He has answers to our needs and prayers. He is good and faithful. He asks for our faith and trust.  We can place all our concerns at His feet. And He will take care of them. He already has the answers in store. He does not want us to worry, when He has peace for us.  Just as the young lady had complete faith and trust in her dad to care for her puppy, we can have can have complete faith and trust in our Father to care for us. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NKJV

We can stand on God's word and promises.  We can go to our heavenly Father in prayer and leave with peace knowing He is answering our every prayer, taking care of every need, and will always care for us. He is a good Father.

warning: do not return to sin

The other day, I helped my husband untangle some tie downs that were very tangled. They had been shoved into a drawer and had become a big tangled mess that was unusable. It took some time and work to untie knots, separate the long ropes and untangle the big mess. It was not easy to get all the knots out but was necessary to be able to use the tie downs for their intended purpose.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

We are set free when we truly repent and turn from sin. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus and we are changed.  In Galatians, Paul warned of being entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  God can use us as He planned and intended when we are set free from sin.  The reason we do not want to return to sin is that we make Christ of no effect when we return to the life we lived before. We make His sacrifice null and void in our lives.  We are made free and set free not to return to sin but to develop relationship with God and to draw all men to Christ with the love He has given us. We can be a part of His Kingdom and be used to reach others.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 KJV

Peter also gave vivid examples of escaping the sin of the world then returning back to sin. 

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit ,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”

2 Peter 2:20‭-‬22 AMP

Peter describes going to back to sin is like a dog eating its own vomit or a washed hog wallowing in the mud.  It is filthy and gross.  It takes the precious gift of salvation and trashes it. It is throwing away the most precious gift ever given. Peter even explains that things are even worse for those that do return to sin. Sin will entangle and trap. It will hold on and blind us to truth. Sin separates us from God and from those who love us. It destroys lives. Sin has the wages of death. Sin takes from us and does not have mercy on anyone. It takes people down a miserable road to hell. Sin keeps us from our intended purpose.

These men of God warned believers to be aware of this because they had seen it happen. They did not want to see more believers fall. We must be firm and steadfast in faith. We have hope and strength when we lean on the Lord.  

Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Peter 3:17‭-‬18 AMP

We are forewarned to listen to truth, seek God first and to grow, or spiritually mature, in our faith, grace and knowledge of Jesus, our Savior. Maturity  brings steadfastness, strength, and discernment. We should dive deep into prayer, study of the Bible, and keep our focus on God. Our faith should be unwavering and growing.  We need to withstand every attack of the enemy that comes our way. That is why the armor of God is needed. That is why assembling together is needed.  That is why relationship is needed. That is why discipleship is needed. We need to be able to say that we have kept our faith and finished our course just as Paul did.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

God is not willing for any of us to perish or fail. He directed these words of warning to His people to help us endure. He does not want us entangled with sin and destroyed. He wants us to remain free when He sets us free. He wants to use us and direct us. He has plans for us. We need to be free from sin so we can hear Him and follow Him. We only need to heed this warning and be aware that sin may seek to tempt us back but we have God on our side. If we slip up or fall, we can run back to Jesus and find repentance and forgiveness  that will keep us and sustain  us. We have a loving Savior who is looking out and provided warnings knowing we need them. We only need to heed this warning and draw closer to him instead of allowing sin to wrap around us, invade our lives and trap us once again.  We have an intended purpose. God has a plan for each of us and sin wants to keep us from fulfilling our true purpose.  

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

God has plans for you. Choose to put away the sin and follow Him.

captive to sin

When Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem,  he worshipped God and prayed.  This was part of his prayer,  a call to repentance:  

“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the enemy’s land, [whether] far away or near; if they take it to heart in the land where they have been taken captive, and they repent and pray to You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong and we have acted wickedly;’ if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and they pray to You toward their land [of Israel] which You gave to their fathers, the city [of Jerusalem] which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your Name and Presence; then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Your dwelling place, and maintain their right and defend their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions which they have committed against You, and make them objects of compassion before their captors, that they will be merciful to them (for they are Your people and Your heritage, whom You brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace [of slavery and oppression]), that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and to the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them and be attentive to them whenever they call to You.

1 Kings 8:46‭-‬52 AMP

As I read this,  I see our world today.  Solomon spoke of those who would forget God and turn to sin. These souls are captives of sin. Captives that are trapped and do not have freedom. They have no hope where they are.

In today's world, many of us have fallen captive to sin, whether blatant sin or hidden sin.  Sin holds us captive. Sin entered this world and there are grave consequences. We see the effects of sin all around us. Sin takes us down roads we don't really want to go and keeps us longer than we want to stay.  Sin takes many forms in this life, but it boils down to disobedience to God. It may look like hate,  evil,  addiction, strife,  fighting, killing, or secret sin. We can identify sin as anything that goes against God.

The Bible describes sin this way.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:16 KJV

Sin is coming from three areas: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  It is not of God and goes against God's word and will.  It separates us from God. He intends us to love Him,  love others, to put aside the sins  and choose to do His will.  

When we obey God, and demonstrate love one for another, many things change.  A big change is God changes our hearts. Our lives should change. We should begin to reflect the heart of God. We treat others better, we care about one another, we have compassion for one another,  we choose life and we choose good.  We choose to forgive and we choose to love.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.   By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34‭-‬35 KJV

We need to think long and hard over what is happening in our world,  our countries, our communities,  and even in our homes.  We need to ask ourselves if God is finding His will being done or is sin holding us captive. Only He can set us free through repentance.  

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Healing and true freedom will only come from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood can wash away all sin and set us free. We need repentance to break free of the torment of sin.  We need God in our homes,  in our communities, and world. 

May we realize that this is what it will take to change this world.  We will be held captive without the salvation that comes from Jesus. His grace and mercy are ready to set us free.  His eyes are open and he is listening intently to hear us call on him. 

“The Spirit of the Lord God  is upon Me, Because the Lord  has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those  who  are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 NKJV

We need to pray for freedom of souls being held captive by sin. We need to examine our hearts and minds for any sinful thing still working in us and allow God to purify us through repentance.  We need to call on the Name of Jesus to change the hearts of mankind and submit ourselves to be His hands and feet to those around us that so desperately need to be loved and set free. We are commissioned to preach the good news of salvation to the world.  Let's pray for the captives to be set free. God's word promises to set us free.

time to listen

A few years ago there was a popular Christian song with a verse that started, "In the secret, in the quiet place."  It was about getting alone with God to know Him and to hear his voice. 

Elijah had to get in a place of quiet and stillness to hear from God. He had ran fearing for his life. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel threatened his life. He was frustrated, fearful, overwhelmed, and wanted to give up. He sat down and told God to just let him die.

After the earthquake, [there was] a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, [there was] the sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard the sound , he wrapped his face in his mantle (cloak) and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:12‭-‬13 AMP

Elijah recognized the voice of God in that gentle quiet moment. Elijah poured out his fear and frustration to God. He told God he felt alone and forsaken. God listened and then responded with instruction to go. Elijah still had work to do. God still had plans for Elijah. He was to anoint Kings and the prophet to take his place as spiritual leader, Elisha.  God also told him there were still seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal. He was not alone. He was encouraged.  God was right there in the stillness and in the turmoil. God was still leading and had direction for him. God sustained him, fed him, and gave him time to rest. He also strengthened him to keep going and to stand firm. God prepared him.

In 1 Samuel chapter 2 and 3, Samuel had been given to God at the young age of five. I cannot imagine how a small boy must have felt being left at the temple to serve.  I am sure Hannah explained it to him and comforted her little child as she promised to return yearly to see him. I wonder if he cried when she left. He probably wanted to make her proud, and did his best to help Eli. He knew his mother had given him to God.  Samuel was just a small boy when God first spoke to him. In the quiet of night, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him. At first he thought it was Eli. But when Eli discerned that God was calling the boy, he directed him to listen. Samuel replied,  "Speak, for your servant is listening." He learned to hear the voice of God in the quietness and stillness. God directed him, he learned his purpose. God prepared him.

During all the chaos of the last few months, several people have talked about realizing that their time had been so full, that important things had been left out. We were asked to stay home, and not go out. In this time, we have rediscovered the value of family and the value of our time. No longer hurrying and scurrying from work to business and place to place, we have maybe realized how much time we have wasted and given up for less valuable things.  One of the most important has been spiritually, we have realized we need time with God.

I know that God can take bad situations and still turn them into a testimony. He took Elijah's hardest time and turned it for his good. He took a small boy who was learning to serve, and gave him purpose. He is doing the same now. He allowed Elijah to end up hiding in a cave to get him to a place where he could hear and listen. He gave him to rest and time to commune with God; a time of intimacy.  He called Samuel in the quiet of night. I feel like this has been a similar time. God has taken a tough situation and has placed his people in a situation where they can have stillness and quiet. A time where they can hear and listen. He gave us an opportunity for intimacy with Him. God wants to prepare us.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV

Have we taken full advantage of this time of quiet and really listened for the voice of God? As we begin to return to our church buildings, our places of work, and eventually back into the fray of living in this world, we need to realize, that God gave us time to be rested and refreshed, a time to listen and hear His voice, and a time to receive instruction.  Samuel and Elijah both received instruction and direction. There was purpose behind the quiet. There was strengthening and hope given for the future. Have we become prepared to face what is next?

We are going forward into a new phase of life, life after quarantine and COVID19.  We are going  to need that spiritual strength, purpose and hope that God has offered in this quiet time.  He knows what tomorrow brings and he does not offer us these gifts of refreshing and strength without a purpose.  I do not know what will happen over the next few months or years. I do know that God has given time to be restored and strengthened. We have had opportunity for intimacy with him. I pray I have taken full advantage so when I step out into the storm, I am strong enough to endure the fight, to stand strong in faith, to speak the Word of God. I want to know I have heard His voice speaking purpose and leading for me to move forward in His Kingdom work. I want to be prepared.  If you haven't taken time to listen for His voice, I encourage you to find a place of quiet, begin to pray, tell God what is on your heart, then listen. 

Be still and know I am God. 

Psalms 46:10 

forgiveness in the hurt

I have attended church my whole life. I go because I love God and I desire to honor Him with worship and obedience. I try to follow what I believe is instructed in His Word. In Hebrews 10:25 it says: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We are part of the body of Christ and every part is important. (1Corinthians 12)  As the body we are connected and need one another. We are to love and protect one another. We are to lift up and encourage each other. It is very important for our spiritual growth and connection to be part of a community of believers.

We are part of the body, yet we are still human.  That human part can cause trouble for those in a particular assembly and for the body of Christ in general. I hesitate to go forward with this but God has been dealing with my heart on this subject. I have seen this happen many times and have experienced it several times myself. What is it? It is church hurt.  What do I mean? It is getting hurt by another member or even leadership in church. How does this happen? Well, it comes down to being human. We, as human beings, are not perfect, even in church. We can allow personal opinion, personal interpretation and pride to enter our hearts and our words and actions reflect this. We may lash out, we may speak hurtful words to others or about others, or we may even just misunderstand a situation.  There can be hurts that are caused intentionally and those that are unintentional. We are not being wise, nor obedient to God's Word when these matters happen or are left unattended. 

Those that intentionally are hurtful through words or actions are most definitely not obeying the commands of God.  Scripture tells us to love one another and be joined together in unity. We are to speak kindly to one another, not gossip, and avoid divisive spirits. If we are purposely hurting a brother or sister, we are allowing sin and participating in sin. This ought not be so. We are instructed to repent of sinfulness. We are to go to another in meekness and in a righteous way when we need to discuss a matter. Our words and deeds toward one another should reflect Christ in us. If we have failed in this respect, we need to make it right with those we have hurt and with God.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:35 KJV

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV

Now, we also have experienced unintentional hurt or misunderstandings. I know I have. We may have overheard a bit of conversation or allowed our own past or self conciousness to persist in telling us that someone said or did something. We may interpret incorrectly. We may be in the situation where someone assumes we said or did something. Misunderstandings lead to hurt.  We must be aware and prayerful when we realize this may be happening. We may need to ask a question or pray over a troubled feeling. We must be willing to forgive and also realize that Satan takes great pride in creating a problem when there isn't one. He can take a little thing and pour thoughts into our mind to distract and create a hurt because we listen to those whispers that say 'you aren't good enough,' or 'they don't really like you, you don't  fit in.'  These are the lies he likes to tell us. We should always be aware of these tactics of the enemy. He sows discord and hurt. 

If you have been hurt, intentionally or unintentionally, we also have a responsibilty. We are still responsible for our response to that hurt. The Word of God speaks to the hurting and broken. But most of all, we are instructed to forgive.  We are to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. We are to be angry and sin not. He knows what it is like to be hurt, rejected, and betrayed. He experienced all of this himself. Yet, he forgives every single one of us. If we are to be Christlike, we are to forgive.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32 KJV

It sounds simple to say we forgive, but it is one of the hardest actions we take.  Forgiveness is a choice we must make and keep taking that action until the heart follows. Forgiveness takes a lot of prayer and more prayer.  I speak this from experience. We want to react out of anger and hurt. We want to punish, or walk away. But forgiveness means we not only say, 'I forgive,' but our hearts love and want good for that person as well.  

I read about Corrie Ten Boom. She endured great suffering and loss in the concentration camps of the Nazis. She survived and upon speaking to a group in Germany, she recognized a Nazi guard approaching her. That man asked for her forgiveness. She said that she knew she had to forgive, but in her heart she wanted to hate him and not do it. She prayed in that moment and asked God to help her to just take his extended hand. She knew she needed to at least take that action. In doing so, God not only helped her take his hand, her heart was flooded with love and forgiveness for the guard. She ended up embracing him with tears saying "I forgive you with all my heart!" She meant it.  This man had hurt her and her sister had died at his hand. Yet she was able to forgive. This story has always spoken to me of the mighty grace and mercy of God, not only for the guard, but for Corrie as well. They both were in desperate need of forgiveness. Forgiveness not only heals the forgiven, it heals the heart of the forgiver. We cannot remain unforgiving, for bitterness will be planted and grow. Bitterness will slowly choke and destroy a soul. 

If you have been hurt, you must find a way to forgive. Pray and reach out with forgiveness. The healing will come as you act on that forgiveness. 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1‭-‬2 KJV

If you know someone who has been church hurt, we need to pray for them and reach out to them in love. We should restore them in love and care. We must be careful and considerate of these souls that need love and faith restored.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:17‭-‬18 KJV

Hurt happens in this life and in a church. We make mistakes. We also have Christ who is working on our hearts and drawing us closer. We are to love one another enough to be careful of one another as well as to forgive one another. We are to be an example to the world of the love of God by how we treat each other in the good moments and especially in the difficult moments. May we extend grace and mercy. May we always assume the best of others and give the benefit of the doubt.  May the love of Christ flow through us to one another.   May forgiveness become our first response to others. 

finding contentment

We are in the middle of uncertain times. I have never liked uncertainty. I am a long range planner.  I keep a calendar  and mark it well in advance. My kids know that I do not like it when they tell me they need to be somewhere or do something that was not on my calendar. It better have been planned for in advance!   I guess it is my way of feeling control and keeping down worry and stress.  But..... Here we are, in the middle of COVID19. Not one thing on my calendar or schedule is happening the way it was planned!  This has not made me happy, nor comfortable.  I like plans and certainty.  This is not it!  

I have had to let go of a lot of things and take one day at a time.  Do what can I do just for today. I have had to make tentative plans with contingency plans.  I do try to be flexible, but I find it a stress at times.  Why is this important? Well, I think God is trying to teach me just a little more , or maybe a lot, about how much more trust I need to place in Him. As I was praying and maybe even complaining a little, God reminded me of the the following scripture.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

Ok, So I was not content in this state.   I was most definitely not content.  God reminded me that the contentment he has for me, comes by trusting Him in the middle of trials, in the good times, and in uncertain times. I do not really have any ability to control any of it anyway. He is really the One in control. He is all knowing and all powerful. He knows what the future holds. I do not have and cannot claim any of that ability. But I can place all my hope and trust in Him, and know He is handling it all.  

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].

1 Timothy 6:6 AMP

There is an inner peace that comes with knowing God is sufficient and we can rest in knowing Him. It is actually godliness to have this contentment. So with much prayer amd repentamce, I am finding more peace and contentment in the middle of one of the most uncertain times of my life. God is still God. He is in control. He is my Savior and my Peace. He is our Provider and our Protector.  We have no reason to fear and stress when we really trust Him.  My calendar is set to the side for now, and I am content in the state in which I find myself. I cannot fully plan much, but I can count on my faithful God to be right there.  No worry, no fear, just content.  Thank you Lord for reminding me how much I  truly need you and working on me just a little more to make me more of what you intend me to be.

 

identity

I love the story of Ruth and I always get so much from it.  Naomi is what really stood out this time around. Naomi actually means pleasantness.  She was a blessed woman. But, as a famine came upon Israel,  she and her husband and two sons moved to the land of Moab from Bethlehem-Judah to ease their plight. While there, her two sons married. She then experienced tragedy as both her sons and her husband died!  Naomi headed home to Bethlehem-Judah.  When she got there, all her family and friends were so excited to see her.    "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    Mara means bitter.
She actually wanted her name changed to reflect the bitterness that she had experienced and continued to allow to rule her heart and mind. She seemed to even blame God for her situation.  As time went by, she was once again blessed because her daughter in law Ruth loved her and obeyed. Ruth bore a stone that Naomi was able to care for and be grandmother to. She was praised and restored.
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord , which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.  And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Ruth 4:14‭-‬15 KJV

Why did Naomi's story seem so exciting? She lost so much and experienced great bitterness.  We can identify with this part of life.   Naomi tried to change her very name, her identity  to "bitterness". She actually told others to call her "Bitter!" At that time, all she saw for herself was the brokenness and sorrow.  She didn't believe it would ever end. She may have even went home to basically wait for her life to end as well.

There are times we go through, that are greatly bitter and hard. We experience loss and sorrow, pain and struggle. We may identify with Naomi and feel like this season will never end for us. We may be on the verge of giving up. We may just as well say "My name is Bitter!"

I recently watched a movie where one of the characters was asked, "Who are you?" He struggled to say who he was. He named his job, his interests, positions and finally came to saying he was a christian. He realized he really needed to find his identity in Christ first. The rest of it can fail and change, but Jesus never fails. 

We can allow circumstances and our past failures to dictate our identity.  We will answer to that identity, live it, wallow in it. We see ourselves as lost, broken and destroyed.  It will determine our next choices and decision and our actions. Our thoughts are dwelling on those bitter feelings. It permeates every part of us.

But God sees more than we do. God had a great plan for Naomi. She was instrumental in the very genealogy of Jesus Christ. Her story is just as important as Ruth's story. She was named "Pleasantness" for  reason. She was given back that pleasantness by the end of the book.  God never forgot His plan or whom she was intended to be. She was the pleasant one in the lives of those around her.  She was important.

We need to realize that God sees our purposed identity.  He does not see us as broken and destroyed, but He sees His child.  He sees our intended purpose and position. He sees pleasantness and blessing. He sees what He wants to give to us and do for us and through us.  Our identity should be found in Him alone. He is the author and finisher of our faith. We cannot continue in our broken state and be in the will of God. We need to ask God to show us His plan and will for our life, then live it.

He designed us for worship and for relationship with Him. In  Him we find we are precious  and we are blessed with grace and mercy. We are not intended to identify ourselves as only destroyed by pain and sorrow.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:3 KJV

and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].
Ephesians 4:24 AMP

We are made new in Him. We are not to continue in our old identity. We have a new identity through salvation when we go through those hard struggles, we cannot be consumed by it and allow it to change who we are in Christ. We still have hope. We still have the joy He gives. We can find comfort and peace in His arms.

God sees and knows who we are. He did not allow Naomi to rename herself. We should also realize that God calls us by name. He listed her story for a reason. He demonstrated how much he wants to take care of our sorrows and hurts. He wants to turn it around for our good. It doesn't change the fact we experienced it, but it will be turned to good and should not determine our identity. We will be able to say: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,  Psalms 30:11 NKJV

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:26‭-‬27 NKJV

God created us. He can change us. He can bless us. He can bring us through the fire and the storm. We are not defined by circumstances. We are defined by our faith in our Creator and Savior. Just as God saw Naomi and reminded her that she was blessed and pleasant, not bitter.  We are to be identified by Him and His Spirit operating in us. Let us take on the identity that Christ gives us. We need to say I am a child of God and nothing will ever change that.