ANSWER YOUR NAME
Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? Ruth 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 story is pathetic. It was a painful experience for a woman who left with her husband and with her two sons then returning without them. She witnessed her dear husband's death and she saw the burial of her two sons.
And for entire city to come out to witness the return of Naomi shows that this woman was a great person. She was good, loving, caring, motivating and she had large followers. But who they saw did not represent the Naomi they knew. They wanted Naomi to identify herself but she rejected her name. She rejected her sweet name and she accepted Mara (Bitter). The devil used four things to convince Naomi not to answer her precious name;
1.THE MEMORY OF HER PAST: At anytime Naomi wants to smile or laugh the devil will say "think of your past, think of how your husband died, think of how your only two children died and think of all that you have been through in life". And immediately Mara (bitter) will take over her. Tears of pain and bitterness were running down her eyes. She thought God has abandoned her or He is sleeping or He has gone on retirement. These are the lies the devil tells people that are passing through situations. The truth is that God is doing something about you right now. You have to speak to your past and put it behind you. You have to say "I move forward in Jesus Christ's name. Amen"
2. "IS THIS NAOMI?" : The devil used her present state to confront her, telling her " Are you still sweet (Naomi)? There is nothing right now left in you! You are not up to your mates! people are laughing at you! You have nothing! Hate yourself! When you look at yourself what do you see? Where are your values? Your qualities are gone!" These are the lies of the devil. The truth is that God is still with you. You are not alone. He is going through it with you. Say to the devil "I will get back again in Jesus' name. Amen".
3. FEAR: She was afraid of her future. Because of long period of intimidation she could not see anything good about her future. The devil used her age to confront her, telling her "There is nothing in the future for you. Age is not on your side to achieve anything. How can you do it? Your tomorrow is bad! Your tomorrow is going to end like your yesterday just as your today is ending like your yesterday. Your sweetness is gone! Your joy is gone! Accept defeat and accept Mara" But the devil is a liar. The truth about your future is that greater and better doors are about to be opened. Double restoration is coming your way soon. Just be patient and be obedient to God. Speak to your future to give birth to what you want.
4. SHE FORGOT HER DREAM: One of the most dangerous things in one's life is to forget his dream. Once you forget your dream then so many dreams will present themselves to you. They will get you confused so that you could not interpret any of them. The confusion is to push you away from God. You need to push back like Ruth. While Naomi was drifting away from God Ruth was holding on to Him. Ruth 4:14-15 And those that were laughing at Naomi came back because of Ruth to congratulate Naomi, saying "God has given you a person that is more than seven sons" As many that are laughing at you they will come soon to congratulate you. They will come to praise God with you if you hold on.
PRAYER:
I answer my name in the name of Jesus Christ. I am holding on to you my God, I refuse to let go off my dream. I am blessed and highly favored. I push my pasts behind and I move forward. There is hope in my future. It is not too late, I can make it. And I take back all that is mine in Jesus' name. Amen
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