Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, in trusting recognition:

‘“Don’t call me Naomi,’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.’”
(Ruth 1:20)

Some people would criticize Naomi for this raw complaint, Jesus.

But I’m not sure You would.

She didn’t accuse You. She just told the truth:

Her life had become bitter.

Her husband had died.
Both her sons had died.

She was now a widow living all alone –
except for one daughter-in-law she couldn’t feed.

She didn’t shrug and say, “I guess I just had a run of bad luck.”

She recognized You as absolutely sovereign –

the God who gives life
the God who takes it away.

As was the custom in her day, she wanted to change her name to fit her circumstances.

“Naomi” means “pleasant” – something her life no longer was.
“Mara” means “bitter.”

I wonder…

If I changed my name today…

what would it be?

_________
Genesis 17:5; Genesis 17:15; Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:18; Genesis 41:45; Numbers 13:16; 2 Kings 24:17; Psalms 139:16; Isaiah 45:5-7; Daniel 1:7; Acts 17:24-28

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper