"Sharing Hope through Scripture for Hurting Marriages"

"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