Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":
Marriage counselors who try to help troubled couples generally advise them never to let the “D word” escape their lips. There is solid biblical or theological reason for this counsel.
Whether or not the troubled married couple are active church attendees, if they are seriously disturbed in their marriage they have very likely in some way breathed a prayer that God would save their marriage.
If, after so praying, they talk about the possibility of divorce ending it, this betrays unbelief on their part, and thus virtually nullifies their prayer.
The Lord Jesus has told us, “All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matt. 21:22). Jesus strongly implies that Satan cannot know what we say to our Father in secret prayer (Matt. 6:6); but we also know that where there is strife and bitterness, there Satan is for sure, listening in.
Now, when we talk words expressing doubt and unbelief in the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit, we are in effect inviting the Enemy to listen in.
The counsel about the “D word” applies to all our prayers. The Lord takes a special delight in His people who trust Him in the face of discouraging circumstances. To trust Him before others, before the world, is itself a form of missionary work, because people are “reading” your Christian experience before they read your tracts and books.
Jehoshaphat leading unarmed Israel by faith, with hymns of praise to God, to face a huge opposing army—this is a grand example of trusting the Lord in the face of apparently hopeless opposition (2 Chron. 20:15-22). If King Saul, even though he had sinned grievously against the Lord, had led Israel likewise to face the Philistines in humble, honest, confessing faith, the Lord would not have abandoned him (the sad story of his unbelief is in 1 Sam. 31). The Lord loves repentant sinners!
Your battle of faith is as precious to the Lord as was Jehoshaphat’s; his story is written “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come”(1 Cor. 10:11). The writing of the Bible is already finished, but your story of trusting the Lord can still encourage others and give you the joy of witnessing for the Lord.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" web page resides at: http://1888message.org/dailybread/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: <dailybread@1888message.org>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" phone message is available via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
