One of the most challenging personal and pastoral tasks is the navigation of crisis, and Naomi, I think, is an example worth highlighting. David Jackman (cited by Simon Gathercole) notes that despite her grief and complaint, she does not lose her faith:
She consciously places all her pain, bitter experiences and hopelessness within the structure of God’s sovereignty, and she leaves the explanation and responsibility with him. Whether that is escapism or realism entirely depends on the character of God.
Several books of the Bible, including the book of Ruth, are
designed to vindicate that character of steadfast love and dependability and to generate a similar faith in the Lord. He provides in his person the only context in which faith can learn to cope with the uncertainties, pain and bitterness of life. For he is also Yahweh – the God of covenant-love and faithfulness.
