Date: Friday, 26th July, 2024
Text: Matthew 19:1-9
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Marriage is not meant to be endured but to be enjoyed. Your spouse is not supposed to be a cross you carry, but a life companion whose presence completes you and not compete with you. The marital union is designed to be Heaven on Earth; your home should be an abode of comfort and a shelter from the heat of life.
Your spouse should be your best friend, your confidant, prayer partner; a source of succour in the times of trouble; a source of encouragement and strength. Anything short of that is not God’s will.
One of the reasons why so many find marriage to be the opposite of the above description is unforgiveness occasioned by hardness of heart.
In today’s text, concerning divorce, some Israelites asked Christ,“Why then did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” Matthew 19:7-8
As long as we breathe, we are not immune to offenses. A soul that trembles at the word of God, doing His will promptly and completely has a soft heart. Such a person finds it easy to let go and forgive his offenders.
The Holy Spirit through Apostle Peter wrote, “Likewise, ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge (with proper understanding that they are more delicate than you; with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship), giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
The word of God also says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”- Hebrew 12:14. Do you desire that your prayers are answered quickly? Do you want to make Heaven at last? Then a soft and forgiving heart is mandatory.
Prayer Nugget: Lord, please, give me the grace to readily pardon others when they offend me.