Ruth 1:20–21: “She said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?’”
We should always give thanks to God for all things, as stated in Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” However, it is often challenging to maintain a thankful heart when we face difficulties and unexpected challenges. Many things come into our lives that we don’t like, yet God allows them to come upon us for our good and His glory. In Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi expresses her deep sorrow and the bitterness she feels as she returns to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons. She believes the Almighty has dealt bitterly with her, a sentiment echoed by many who endure hardships. This passage sets the stage for our exploration of some strange things sent by the Lord, which, while difficult to endure, serve His divine purposes.
God Sends Afflictions
In Psalm 66:11, we read, “Thou brought us into the net; thou laid affliction upon our loins.” Afflictions can come in many forms—physical, emotional, spiritual—and they often leave us feeling trapped and burdened. Yet, these afflictions are not without purpose. As Matthew Henry comments, “Afflictions are designed to awaken us, to bring us to a sense of our dependence upon God, and to engage us in more earnest prayer.” Job also speaks to this in Job 16:12: “I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder; he hath also taken me by the neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.” Job’s experience illustrates how God uses affliction to shake us from complacency and draw us closer to Him. These afflictions, though painful, serve to refine our faith and deepen our reliance on God’s strength and mercy.
God Sends Grief
Lamentations 3:32 offers us a truth: “But though he causes grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.” Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, and it often feels overwhelming. Yet, God’s compassion accompanies our grief, providing comfort and hope. Charles Spurgeon once said, “God does not afflict willingly, but out of love and necessity; and when He afflicts, He has a design of mercy towards us.” In our grief, we can find solace in knowing that God’s mercies are abundant, even when we cannot see them immediately. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death, offering His tender compassion and steadfast love, assuring us that our grief is not the end but a passage to greater understanding and trust in His providence.
God Sends Wounds
Job 5:18 reminds us, “For he maketh sore, and binds up: he wounds, and his hands make whole.” The wounds we experience, whether they be physical ailments, emotional scars, or spiritual struggles, are not without divine purpose. God, in His infinite wisdom, allows these wounds to occur but also promises to heal them. Augustine of Hippo wisely noted, “God afflicts with the same purpose as a surgeon cuts—not to injure, but to cure.” These wounds teach us dependence on God’s healing power and remind us of His sovereignty over our lives. Through our wounds, we experience His grace and the restoration that only He can provide, reinforcing our faith and fortifying our spirit for the journey ahead.
God Sends Leanness
Isaiah 10:16 declares, “Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.” Leanness, in this context, refers to a state of need or deprivation. God sometimes allows us to experience leanness to strip away our reliance on material wealth or comfort, drawing us back to a pure dependence on Him. As John Calvin comments, “When God deprives us of His gifts, He compels us to return to Himself, who alone is our true wealth.” This spiritual leanness is a call to reevaluate our priorities and renew our trust in God as our provider. It is through these times of scarcity that our faith is tested and strengthened, reminding us that God is our ultimate source of sustenance and hope.
God Sends Tears
Psalm 80:4-5 poignantly states, “O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feeds them with the bread of tears: and gives them tears to drink in great measure.” Tears are a natural response to sorrow, and God sometimes allows us to experience sadness. However, these tears are not wasted. They cleanse our souls and bring us closer to God, who understands our deepest pains. Thomas Watson wisely said, “Tears have a voice; they can speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.” In our tears, we communicate with God on a level beyond words, laying bare our hearts before Him. God uses our tears to soften our hearts, make us more compassionate, and draw us into deeper communion with Him.
God Sends Trouble
Psalm 71:20 reveals, “Thou, which has shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Trouble is a part of the human condition, and it often comes when we least expect it. Yet, in the midst of our troubles, God promises to revive us and lift us up. Job also speaks of this reality in Job 23:16: “For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me.” These troubles are not meant to destroy us but to refine us, to make our hearts more attuned to God’s will and purposes. As A.W. Tozer noted, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Through our troubles, God softens our hearts, teaches us humility, and prepares us for greater blessings and service in His kingdom.
God Sends Death
1 Samuel 2:6 reminds us of the ultimate reality: “The Lord kills, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.” Death is perhaps the most challenging aspect of our existence to comprehend, yet it is within God’s sovereign control. He is the giver of life and the one who calls us home. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Death, for the believer, is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God. It is through Jesus Christ that we have victory over death and the promise of resurrection. This assurance gives us hope and courage to face even the darkest moments with faith and trust in God’s eternal plan.
In all these things—afflictions, grief, wounds, leanness, tears, trouble, and even death—we see God’s hand at work, shaping us, refining us, and drawing us closer to Him. Though these experiences are difficult, they serve a greater purpose in His divine plan. As we endure these strange things sent by the Lord, let us hold fast to our faith, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty. Let us give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that He is with us, working all things for our good and His glory.
Intentional Faith 