Who are the most ungodly people you can think of?
Hitler is one who frequently comes to mind with his attempt to
exterminate the race of Jews living in Germany. Certainly it
saddens our hearts to read of some new mass murderer on the loose, or a
child molester, or a drug king-pin who seems to escape a jail term. It
makes us wonder what God is doing while all this is going on. It
just does not seem fair for God to allow all the evil and ungodly acts
to continue. Of course, the Bible reminds us frequently of how
much God hates these things too! God's Word also reminds us
frequently that it is a result of wrong choices on our part - God does
not cause evil but permits it for a time and can use evil people or
ungodly actions to accomplish His purposes.
7
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create
disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
8 "You heavens
above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let
the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow
with it; I, the Lord, have created it. 9 "Woe to him who
quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the
potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are
you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'? (Isaiah
45:7,9, NIV)
The Israelites had been exiled into slavery to the
pagan, idolatrous nation of Babylon. How did they feel when they
were enslaved in a foreign country? I am sure they felt many
confusing thoughts about God but chief among their concerns had to be
their relationship with God. Though they previously had an
intimate, personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe, they
now were far from Him. But God did not move away, they did!
How does a relationship fail? Is it rosy one
day and desert storm the next? Dr. Tony Evans of the Oak Cliff
Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, remarks that the biggest lie
two people say is on their wedding day. They think they were
married by a Minister but find out it was the Secretary of War!
Usually, though, a relationship does not split immediately. It
falters over a long period of time due, primarily, to neglect. A
job may be contending with one spouse's time. Interests outside
the marriage may start a wedge in the relationship. Apathy toward
building intimacy in marriage is a common problem. And, of course,
angry words spoken in haste always stoke the fire of bitterness.
Like the Israelites in exile, we may not
understand the solution to our problematic relationship. God used
this time to mend the broken spiritual relationship. He also used
Cyrus, King of Persia, to overthrow Babylon and free Israel, even though
the LORD said of Cyrus "you do not
acknowledge me" (Isaiah 45:4, NIV). Cyrus permitted the
Israelites to go home after 70 years of exile. But the amazing
thing is that very few went home. After all this time, many had
allowed themselves to be merged into the Babylonian culture. Only
a few thousand went back to restore their land. Though all had
opportunity for redemption and reconciliation with God, only a few took
it.
In our marriage relationships, we have a choice to
return to from the exile of battered relationships. First, we must
forgive his/her faults and weaknesses. Your mate may not return
right away but you have the opportunity to fulfill God's will and His
role for you in the marriage.
"Husbands, love your wives, just
as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her
holy..." (Ephesians 5:25, NIV). This is
humanly impossible. "Wives,
submit to your husbands as to the Lord...the wife must respect her
husband" (Ephesians 5:22,33, NIV). This also is humanly
impossible. But what is impossible for us IS possible for our God.
He empowers the Christian through the Holy Spirit living in us to know
and do the right thing. Our goal is to always be moving in the
right direction for us, whether or not our spouse is moving too.
Consider where you are in relation to where you
should be. Then ask God for the grace and direction to change!
Only Christ can save you and only He can mold you and your mate into His
image. Pray for unity and peace in your marriage. Then take
the steps necessary to fulfill your end of the bargain. The Lord
does honor a faithful, obedient servant!
|
