When God Doesn’t Make Sense

El Shaddai: When God Doesn’t Make Sense

Scripture References

Primary text

• Ruth 1:1
• Ruth 1:19
• Ruth 4:13

Other references

• Psalm 60:8

Overview

Naomi’s world collapsed—famine, the loss of her husband and both sons, and a return home “empty.” Through her story in Ruth, the message confronts every listener who feels abandoned or bitter: the wrong direction always ends in the wrong destination, and a distorted view of God distorts everything else. Yet God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, the One who is “exactly what you need when you need Him,” turning bitterness into redemption.

Main Points

1. Wrong direction, wrong destination

• Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem (the place of God’s provision) for Moab, enemy territory steeped in idolatry and child sacrifice.
• Ten years in Moab cost Naomi everything—husband, sons, security.
• Principle: No matter how sincere the reasons, heading away from God’s will never lands you in the life you desire.

2. Distorted view of God distorts life

• Isolated from God’s people, Naomi concluded, “The Lord has made my life very bitter” and renamed herself Mara.
• Separation bred blame: she faulted God for consequences tied to their own choices.
• Today the same happens—unanswered prayers, unmet expectations, pandemic-thrown rhythms can warp our picture of God and leave us cynical.

3. El Shaddai—God is exactly what you need

“El Shaddai is exactly what you need when you need Him.”

• Naomi still called God “the Almighty” (El Shaddai), hinting at lingering faith.
• El Shaddai = always ample, always adequate, sufficient in every circumstance.
• Knowing God personally changes how we name Him: not “the man upstairs” but Savior, Redeemer, Rock, Friend.

4. Redemption in Ruth’s lineage

• Ruth’s loyalty placed her under God’s provision; patient faith led her to Boaz—a godly, affluent, caring redeemer.
• Their son Obed became grandfather to King David, and generations later to Jesus the Messiah (Ruth 4; Matthew genealogy displayed).
• God wove global salvation out of one family’s grief, proving He works good even from self-inflicted detours.

5. Personal Story: From bitterness to ministry

• Story: As a college student the speaker learned his younger sister Lisa had been groomed and abused by a teacher (“Max”). Rage turned to bitterness toward God.
• Encountering Christ’s forgiveness enabled the family to forgive Max, write him a letter about Jesus, and learn a hospice nurse—and possibly Max himself—turned to Christ.
• Lisa, now married with children, ministers to other women who have suffered similar abuse—God turned misery into ministry.

6. Turning back to Bethlehem

• If you “went out full and came back empty,” examine your direction.
• God may want to bless you in Bethlehem, but you must leave Moab—bitterness, compromise, spiritual drift—and return to Him.
• Even unanswered questions can become testimonies when entrusted to El Shaddai.

Key Truths

• The path you choose determines the destination you reach.
• Bitterness toward God often grows in seasons spent away from His presence.
• What you call God reveals how well you know Him.
• El Shaddai’s sufficiency can transform any loss or failure into redemptive purpose.
• God can turn the very source of your pain into a platform for healing others.

Response

• Examine your current trajectory; turn back from any “Moab” choices and move toward God.
• Call God by names that reflect His character—declare who He is to you each day.
• Release bitterness: honestly pour out disappointment to God and invite His healing.
• Trust El Shaddai to redeem your “tests” and “messes” into testimonies and messages.
• Extend the forgiveness you have received, allowing God to repurpose your wounds for ministry.

Closing

The message ends with an urgent invitation: don’t remain stuck in the bitterness of Moab when God longs to bless you in Bethlehem. When God is all you have, He proves to be all you need.

“He is El Shaddai—exactly what you need when you need Him.”

Prayer

The congregation prayed for release from bitterness, fresh trust in God’s sufficiency, and for those far from Him to turn to Jesus for forgiveness and new life.