One of the great mysteries
of the Bible is the connection between Jesus and the Church in a marriage. A husband
is exhorted to love his wife in the same manner that Christ loves the Church (Ephesians
5:25). Jesus literally laid down His
life for the Church. How many husbands actually do that for their wife? Many of
them get frustrated with their wife’s idiosyncrasies and opt out of the
marriage?
There is not a problem in a
person or a marriage that cannot be resolved with intentional counseling and
mutual submission. Except in life or death situations, no reason is good enough
to justify divorcing one’s mate. It is a lazy, superficial, self-centered
person who files for divorce. They are unwilling to work at becoming one flesh.
A time of separation and a forgiving heart will help to iron out even the worst
marital issues.
Reserving nothing for
Himself, Jesus gave His life for His Bride before we even knew or loved Him.
His love is unconditional, regardless of our behavior, attitude or expressions.
He will never, ever leave or forsake us for any reason or in any way (Hebrews
13:5). Spouses are to follow suite and
care for one another’s physical, emotional, mental, financial and spiritual
needs despite the reception we receive from our mate.
The husband honors the wife
as the weaker vessel, and he protects her from the pain and confusion of the
world (1 Peter 3:7). He listens to her and cares about what she cares about. The wife
respects and encourages her husband. She keeps his home and cares for his
children. She supports him even when she disagrees with the direction he is
going. Although she does have the option to separate for a time if she feels
threatened in any way.
There is no man or woman
alive who does not grab his/her toe when it is stubbed, or jerk away from
something hot or cringe from a hand raised in anger. We are to protect one
another in the same way that we love and protect our self (Ephesians 5:28-33). We care about each other’s needs, often anticipating
them before the desire is even expressed. God will help us to work out every negative
issue in our marriage, if we totally surrender our will to His.
Prayer:
Father God, You give us a
perfect example of loving a flawed mate. Israel failed You over and over; and
yet, You continually loved her and honored Your commitment to her. Remind us to
feel each other’s pain and confusion as if they were our own and never to break
our marriage vows to one another, even when we do not like one another very
much!
Thought for the Day:
There
is no one that loves us better, or cares for our welfare more than Jesus
Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer. – Leviticus 25:25; Ruth 1-4
