DAY 15

Day 15
"Love is Honorable"

"Live with your wives in an understanding way . . . and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life."
(1 Peter 3:7)

A mental image I have, is of the way we guard things that we honor. For example, the way we stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We guard that Tomb because it means something very special to us - we don't want anything to happen to it or any harm to come to it because of what it represents. The guards keep watch 24/7/365 at Arlington Cemetery - no matter what. We consider that ground to be set apart - "holy ground". The purpose of that memorial is appreciated by all who have served America on active duty through the years. The guards who have the sacred responsibility of guarding at the Tomb of the Unknowns are unique, special, set apart. All-in-all it's a beautiful thing, and we are better people for the way we honor our fallen for their ultimate sacrifice.

What does that have to do with marriage? In much the same way, you should honor your relationship with your wife. Your marriage should be guarded for the holy blessing that it is. You should never let that guard down because of the tremendous value that you have placed in your commitment to each other. You don't want any harm to come to your marital union, and you protect it from anyone who might seek to destroy it. You appreciate your wife and the impact she have on your life - and how generations to come will value sacrifices you made for your relationship.

Honor your marriage today by guarding your reputation, your tongue, your mind, and your eyes. Do not say anything negative about your wife today; do not do anything that would harm your reputation as a husband; do not think anything but thoughts of appreciation towards your wife; and do not look at anything that would belittle the value of your wife.

But what if you get no respect or honor from your wife? You may think that all of these words are marvelous, but have nothing to do with the state of your marriage right now. My friend - that's not the issue with love. Love honors even when it's rejected. Love treats its beloved as special and sacred even when an ungrateful attitude is all you get in return.

Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure . . . . (Hebrews 13:4)

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."
(Psalm 139:13, 15-16)

In the passage above, David passionately describes that God fashioned us in the womb, weaving in the ingredients for greatness and purpose-filled living. Every moment of each day of our lives was seen and recorded before time began. God wants to guide our every step in the direction of His divine blueprint for our lives: "For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death" (Psalm 48:14). In order for us to effectively obey God's call in our lives, we must clearly recognize what that call is. God has a role for each one of us to play in the fulfillment of His vision. Through your Journey, you will see God's dream for your marriage to be fulfilled. If only you will let Him do it for you.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that You've made me in a wonderful way for a specific purpose - my life is not an accident. Open the eyes of my heart to see that purpose and to recognize Your hand leading me each step of the way. Help me to see how my purpose is designed to serve Your vision. Lead me as a body of Christ into fulfilling Your divine purpose for me, my wife, and my children.

Scripture For Today: Romans 8:18-27 ... Is there suffering and pain in your life that God seems to be allowing? If so, what are the struggles and the good things that have come about as a result of those trials? How is God using them for good? Give Him thanks for these difficulties and ask Him for the longsuffering to endure them with a hopeful heart.