The marriage is on the rocks and healing seems impossible; a flood of bitter memories is almost all they have left between them. Yet they are church members and they both dread divorce and each knows he/she is unworthy (and incapable!) alone to raise the innocent children whom they have brought into the world. What once was love (or was it just fun for sex?) seems dead.
But there’s that nagging remembrance: our marital failure brings shame and disgrace on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the One who invented marriage, and the universe is watching.
When we think of Him as a cold infinite institution even bigger than the Pentagon, that doesn’t disturb us because what we do is a mere pinprick. But when we think of Him as a real human (divine) Person forever intimately given to us, a purpose begins to form in our souls—we can’t heap further pain on Him. Our marital failure is a re-crucifixion of the One whom the Jews nailed to a tree, and He still feels pain (and nakedness-shame).
Marital failures are serious; they drive spikes in His wrist and ankle bones. And He must bear listening to the sobs of innocent children.
Satan says this couple must have the pleasure of divorce so they can start again with someone else, or at least, find peace alone; and the children? Better off with the divorce, at least that’s what the world says (and if we forget Christ and heaven that seems true).
But we don’t want spiritual disaster; and yes we both love the children. So let’s welcome the path to healing; the Savior shows it to us in His word:
(1) Spend a full hour alone with Him, the best Marriage Counselor ever; accept the “chastening of the Lord”(read Heb. 12:4-12). (2) Be serious: turn off TV, radio, CD’s; humble your soul in quietness alone. (3) Welcome this “chastening of the Lord;” stop resisting it. (4) Let Him “slay” you (Job 13:15). Our text says “every son whom He receiveth,” so the “houseband” is the one primarily in need. (5) Don’t resist identifying yourself as “less than the least of all saints” (Eph. 3:8). In your broken-heartedness don’t reject that last word—you are one of His “saints.” (6) That’s a tremendously healthy gift of self-respect. (7) Rejoice, you’ve taken the first step in saving your marriage.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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