"Sharing Hope through Scripture for Hurting Marriages"
2nd Peter 1:3 as His divine power has
given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. God's Word in this verse directs us to what marriages need when they are hurting.
2. The words, "divine power" speak of
God's ability, His help, His strength, His virtue, His power to
influence the soul of His people.
3. We are also told here that the Lord
has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. The all
things, means just that, all things. Life and Godliness, are 2 ways of
speaking of having what we need to live this life in the way God
intended it to be lived, and Godliness, is again defining the way life
is to be lived. The word Godliness, is actually speaking about reverence
and respect towards God Himself.
4. The concept of respect towards God,
includes fearing Him, and living with a dread of displeasing Him. So,
when a marriage is hurting the Lord has provided us with all that we
need to look to Him, and seek His help, and to allow ourselves to submit
our thought, and our feelings, ideas, and cares to Him. It's putting
God first in our marriage. God has enabled us to do that, but, it's up
to us to do it.
Simply put, it's putting our faith over our feelings, and trusting God and His Word.
5. Please notice, "through the knowledge
of Him" Or through the acknowledging of the Lord. This goes along with
what was said under the previous point above, i.e looking to the Lord
instead of ourselves. In other words, God has provided all that we need
to live our lives the way He intended, and that provision is through
Jesus Christ.
6.. Lastly, Peter speaks of the calling
in our lives by "Glory and Virtue" These two words speak of the
blessedness of God's grace towards us, which He has called us to
receive. Virtue means goodness. God has blessed us by giving us all we
need, to live these lives, and He has done it by and through His grace
and goodness. He is good, and He is gracious. And, He has called us to
grace, and to goodness, to excellence of character in our marriages.
A prayer:
Lord, there is more hurt going around in
marriages then we can possibly imagine. But, You don't have to guess,
or imagine. You know the hurt. And, You not only know the hurt, but You
have given us all we need to live through and grow through and have
victory over the hurt in marriages. It's up to us to believe You, and if
we do, then, we find victory over what can seem so hopeless. We who are
reading this devotional and this prayer, would pray for ourselves, and
the marriages we know of, who may need the truths contained in this
devotional today. In short, help all who are hurting, look up to You and
receive what You have given, and act upon it in accordance with what
pleases You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
