Which is harder: for a wife to submit to and respect her husband, or for a husband to love his wife with the agape kind of love that Paul describes, which Christ has for the church? It is interesting to me that Paul spends more time elaborating on the husband's role in the marriage covenant. Men, we need help and clear instructions! John Maxwell well said that everything rises and falls on leadership. That is so true in business, church, sports teams, and the home.
Love and respect are the keys of marital happiness. Of course, the husband respects his wife, and the wife loves her husband, but there is genius in pointing out, as God's Word does, that men are to love, and women are to respect. When the husband feels and experiences the respect and awe of his wife, it energizes him and makes him love his wife more. To be disrespected hurts any man, but for a wife to show contempt or disrespect for her husband, either publicly or privately, truly decimates a man.
I will close this week's devotions on marriage matters with five practical ways to help marriages:
The first thing Ashley and I shared at the Wednesday Marriage Workshops at Great Hills Baptist Church centers on the word "priorities". Jesus first, then family, then work, ministry, recreation, etc. In
Matthew 6:33, our Lord spoke these words of wisdom about priorities:
"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
The second concept we shared was "commitment". It is good to be reminded that we made a covenant with God to love our spouse and a covenant with one another. We made promises for better for worse, rich or poor, sickness or good health, in all seasons of life.
The third concept shared was "sacrifice". Selfishness is the primary factor in failed marriages. One of the prayers I pray for Ashley each day is that I would put her needs above my own. I understand that this is not possible if a person does not have Christ living in them by His Holy Spirit. When we are Spirit-filled, we get the fruit of the Spirit; when we are self-filled or self-absorbed, we get the works of the flesh.
The fourth lesson shared was on the importance of "having fun". Life has so many challenges, setbacks, and hard times, but we should enjoy our days far more than endure them. Fun with your spouse should be a priority.
The fifth and final lesson we shared relates to "spiritual dynamics" and disciplines. These are vitally important: prayer, worship, and communication. I summarize this last principle this way: PRAY TO GOD, AND TALK TO EACH OTHER.
How aligned is your marriage (not how the secular worldly culture thinks of it, but according to what God's Word, the Bible, clearly teaches)? Some of you are single, or divorced, or widowed. I urge you to honor God in your singleness. You Matter! Perhaps you are married, and things are going well for you and your spouse. That is great! Take some time to praise God for that and celebrate His goodness in your life and marriage. For others, your marriage is a far cry from where it needs to be. You cannot change your spouse, but you can change you and seek to line up your life as a husband or a wife according to God's precepts.
I am praying for you. If you have a specific prayer request, please send it to:
pray@dfea.com
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