"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"But encourage one aonther day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13
Ok, so let's be honest for a moment. We are human and sometimes we just cannot agree. Sometimes the things that we disagree about are big decisions that will change the course of our lives. Sometimes, God calls one of us to make a drastic decision and the other is just not sure that God is calling them in the same direction. Think this is new, or perhaps that it is unique to you? Think again.
Let's look at the story of Abram for a moment. When God first spoke to Abram and told him to go to a land that He would show him (see Genesis 12), how do you think Sarai felt about this? They had no children, no sons to care for her if something were to happen to Abram. In their culture, a widow without sons to care for her quickly became destitute. Furthermore, they were leaving behind everything and everyone she knew. And where exactly were they going? Why were they going? Abram couldn't tell her because God hadn't told him! Sound like fun to you? Scripture doesn't tell us Sarai's reaction. Perhaps she did leave willingly, but surely there was at least a twinge of rebellion!
For so many of us, situations much less severe than this bring about all out war in our homes. How do we avoid this and come to a decision that pleases God, follows His will, and keeps us from killing one another? We must pray - individually and together - and we must encourage one another to trust and obey that which God calls us to do so that we do not fall into sin.
The exercise:
1. Make sure that your own relationship with God is strong. Have time devoted to prayer and Bible study as close to every day as possible. Make it personal. The only way to truly commune with God and know His voice is to be in His business and allow Him to be in yours. Struggling with that? Ask Him to help you. It might not be the most pleasant thing at first, but the rewards are innumerable and eternal.
2. Pray together. Yes, it's important to pray together when we are struggling with something, but it is also imperative to pray together on a regular basis. This way, we are much more quick to know what is on our spouse's heart and it will not be as uncomfortable when you are praying for something about which you disagree. If that's where you find yourself now, pray that you would both have the mind of Christ on the matter. If you are truly willing for God to change your mind, you will be surprised at how easily and quickly He can do it. If you are not struggling with a big decision right now, trust me, you will be someday. Better to make praying together instinctual now than be left floundering when trials come. I don't think that praying together has to be every day, nor does it need to take an hour. In fact, five minutes three times a week could easily get the job done. Set a realistic goal that works for you.
3. Encourage each other. There might be times that you really don't like what God is calling you to do. But if God has made it clear through the first two steps that you are to do it, encourage one another to obey. Remind one another of Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Any unpleasant job God asks us to do is for our welfare and benefit, not to destroy us. The journey may be difficult, treacherous, even fatal, but God has a plan FOR YOU.
No comments:
Post a Comment