God can handle your accusations
A question that’s a bit of a brain teaser and always sparks interesting conversation is, “If you could name yourself, which name would you pick?” And of course, you’re not allowed to pick your own name.😉
Most people opt for a unique name, something funny or one with a special meaning.
I honestly don’t have the perfect name picked out for myself, but I probably wouldn’t pick a name that means bitterness.
But that’s what Naomi in the Bible did. Ruth’s mother-in-law was so disappointed with how her life turned out that she told everyone she knew, “Call me Mara,” which means bitter (Ruth 1:20).
Naomi blames God for all that she’s lost:
The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? – Ruth 1:20-21
Naomi isn’t the only person in the Bible who blames God for the losses she suffered. Job says in Job 1:21:
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. – Job 1:21
Despite being accused of ruining their lives, God blesses both Naomi and Job so abundantly that their futures turn out even better than their pasts. Apparently, God can handle their accusations and doesn’t disqualify them for blaming Him in their distress.
Naomi’s grandson, Obed, even became King David's grandfather.
I cannot keep repeating this enough: it is good to be honest with God. Anything you point at God, even your raw emotions, unfiltered prayers, and wild accusations, will ultimately draw you closer to Him.
