Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 12, 2014
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. Matthew 5:33
Wedding vows mean something. They mean something to the Lord. They mean something to the man and woman promising faithfulness to one another. And they mean something to the wedding party who are witnesses of the ceremony. Not to be said glibly, vows are a lifetime commitment to Christ to remain true to our true love. In a similar manner to our salvation in Jesus, our wedding vows are a walk of faith. Through good and bad seasons we promise to persevere.
A wedding license is like an automobile driver who receives his license for the first time. In the beginning everything is new, but skills are developed to manage a car well and abide by the laws of the land. When automobile accidents occur, wise drivers learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of others. We have so much to learn in marriage, but when we say I do and I will, we commit to learn and grow. We will have marital wrecks along the way, but by God’s grace we can repair our relationships. Vows are the insurance that pays premiums during the painful days.
“When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said” (Numbers 30:2).
Therefore, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we do what we say we will do. We remain true to one woman or one man. We honor our vows to our husband or wife, because we desire to honor the originator of marriage, the Lord God Almighty. Since we don’t take the Lord lightly, we don’t take our wedding vows lightly. The feeling of romantic love comes and goes, but our resolve to remain married to death do us part is constant. We make our wedding vows under the law of the Lord and the law of the land. A marriage united in Jesus Christ is not to be disavowed.
Are you struggling to keep your marriage vows? We all do from time to time. It’s in our struggle to remain faithful that the faithful one, Jesus Christ, becomes a very real role model for our marriage. He does not forsake us, even when we forsake Him. He loves us when our love for Him grows lukewarm, even cold. He forgives us, even when we make stupid mistakes. Jesus is our joy when joy is hard to find. For Christ’s sake we vow to keep our vows!
“Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4, ESV).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, by Your Spirit keep me true to my wedding vows to You and my mate.
Related Readings: Psalm 116:18; Ecclesiastes 5:4; Malachi 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Peter 3:7
Post/Tweet today: By God’s grace we can repair our marriage relationship. Our vows are the insurance that pays premiums during pain. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Marriage Growth Tools- http://www.thebasicidea.org/52_week.php
Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
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Having been a victim of abuse I really struggle with posts like that. I am now remarried and can appreciate them but I know that when I was living in abuse I would read posts like this and would think I had to stay cuz they were talking to me. In thought of those people there should always be a disclaimer that you are talking about normal relationships not abusive ones.
Where does grace come in? I blew it in my first marriage. I was in a bible believing church yet…my ex was abusive. Physically, emotionally, and a downright bully. I made a covenant. Had 3 kids. But I am a divorced and remarried person. I took my vows seriously. I was with him for 11 years. When I did leave him I was shunned by my old church. All they would tell me to do was to essentially shut up, dont talk about it, read, pray and obey. I was dying inside. We did couples therapy and the christian counselor told us point blank that I cant continue with you because my ex would not do anything with the counseling.
with my second marriage there has been a slew of issues come up. BUT. the commitment to change together in the grace of our Lord has made a huge difference. I am treated like an equal and not a piece of property…my wedding vows meant something the first time and it broke me to fall apart so. But grace…has been poured out a second time. Do I advocate divorce no. Do I fight for the victims of violence? I do. Grace…
I have not been able to post any of your wonderful teachings to Facebook. The links do not work so the reader only sees the header and your picture.
I have tried clicking on both the Facebook icons on your page, and I always test links of anything I post to Facebook, and these don’t go anywhere.
What am I doing wrong?
Dear Debbie~
I am so sorry that you are having these problems posting the devotionals to FB. I will look into it and get back to you through your email address. I may have to ask some support people that have a much greater knowledge of all things computer than myself. Thank you for your patience and I will get back to you by way of your email address.
Have a wonderful day.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and we appreciate the fact you want to share the devotionals to your family and friends on FB!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
My dear sister in Christ~
Thank you so much for your thought-provoking comments regarding divorce, remarriage, abuse and most importanly, GRACE. I was sorry to read about your first marriage and the hardships that you lived through during that time. I am sure of the fact when you suffered, God suffered. When you cried, HE cried, and when you hurt, HE hurt, too.
I am reminded of Jesus weeping with Mary and Martha when Lazareth “died”.
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid Him? He asked.’ Come and see, Lord, they replied. Jesus wept.” John 11:33-35
I am thankful you are out of that abusive relationship and rejoice in the fact you are safe. My prayer is that your children are OK, too.
You summed it all up in one word~ GRACE. He loves us that much ~ GRACE. Isn’t that such an overwhelming and amazing gift? GRACE.
Thank you for reaching out to us and we hope to hear from you again in the future.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering”.
Isaiah 53:3
Dear Rachel~
Thank you for your thought-provoking comments regarding the devotional, “Wedding Vows” along with the comments about dealing with the abuse in your first marriage. We always appreciate hearing from our Wisdom Hunter’s family with their perspectives, especially with the sincerity with which you spoke.
First of all, Rachel, we are thankful that you are OK and delivered from the abusive situation. Praise God!
In no way does Boyd Bailey, the WH team or the WH devotionals ever condone any forms of abuse, in a marriage or otherwise. Please know that.
I rejoice in the fact you are loved by a Heavenly Father that was with you in those hard times and is with you today.
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name, will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you”.
Psalm 9:9-10
I will pass along your suggestion about the disclaimer for those who are reading the devotionals and are in abusive relationships.
Thank you again for taking the time to reach out to us. We know this is important. Thank you, Rachel.
We look forward to hearing from you again and we are thankful you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and Trusting~
Gwynne
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2