Better Days Ahead

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. — Psalm 27:13

The story of Job in the Bible is about a confident man who had a heart for God. God testified that there was no man like Job on earth. He was described as a good man with a wife and ten children as well as many herds of animals and great wealth.

Then the Lord allowed Job’s faith to be tested, and he faced loss of children, wealth, and even his physical health. Job’s story reminds us that there is a spiritual conflict going on behind the scenes in our lives.

When my dad was diagnosed with dementia, we never dreamed that he would eventually pass from complications of the dreaded disease. During a five­ year journey, we watched the man who was a leader, mentor, pastor, spiritual father, and the greatest dad anyone could imagine begin to lose his memory a little more each day. My mom, brother, and I stood on the Word of God that he was covered by the blood of Jesus and no weapon formed against him would prosper.

My prayer partners around the world were praying my dad would come back to us. And as he made his final journey to his forever Home, we were praising Jesus for the legacy he was leaving behind. I am now pastoring his church, Limitless. My mom has become a writer and an author. My brother faithfully leads our family. My sons, my dad’s grandsons, have matured in the Lord.

• In your darkness, it can be hard to believe that better days are coming. Stand on your faith and watch God do His best for you.

Father, as I face different seasons and challenges, help me understand that You have my very best interests at heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* 

Blessed Over Bitterness

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” — Ruth 1:20–21

When Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, left Bethlehem they were looking for a new life with­ out all the pain and lack they had been suffering. They had two sons who they believed deserved more than they were able to give them, so they headed for Moab. While this was a decision made out of a desire to survive, Moab was not the best place for Elimelech to take his family. He was leaving the promised land that God had given them and moving to Moab where the residents did not worship the Lord.

Elimelech died in Moab, leaving Naomi alone with her two sons. The sons married Moabite women, which was something God had wanted them to avoid. Ten years later, the sons died, leaving a household with three widows. Naomi heard that the famine had ended in Bethlehem and decided to go home. She urged her daughters-­in-­law to remain in Moab; however, Ruth refused and proclaimed that Naomi’s God would be her God.

When she arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi told her family and friends to no longer call her Naomi but Mara, for the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her. She had lost the men in her life and now had the responsibility of caring for Ruth. But

history shows how God can take bitterness and turn it into joy.

Ruth met Boaz and eventually became his wife. Her son with Boaz was Obed, the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. This woman from a heathen nation had a child who is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Naomi could never have orchestrated her life to bring about such honor and happiness.

Father, thank You that You have a plan and purpose for my life. I will walk in the steps You have orchestrated for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Excerpted with permission from Unstuck: 90 Days of Inspiration, Encouragement, and the Promise of New Life by Kimberly “Real Talk Kim” Jones, copyright Kimberly Jones.

* * * 

Your Turn

If you’re in the middle of a heavy, hard, seemingly hopeless season, hang on. Keep going! Better days are coming. God can and will turn your bitterness to joy! ~ Devotionals Daily