Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 18:21-24
Prov 18:21-24
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 Peter 3:7-9
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
If I were making a list of the greatest blessings we can have on earth, two that would be at the top would be a friend who sticks closer than a brother and another would be a good wife. When we can have a good spouse who is also our very best friend, one who sticks with us through thick and thin, we have been blessed beyond what words can express. Thank God, I have them both!
One of the things that is common between true friends and spouses is that there will be times that you get crossed up and probably even wonder how you got into this relationship in the first place. It is then that the devil will want you to forget all of the good times and all of your common experiences. He will want you to concentrate on the moment of anger, hurt, frustration, and disappointment, instead of remembering that you are together because God brought you together. Work out your differences. Listen. Express your feelings. Forgive.
There are times that one of the partners in the relationship refuses to try to do what is right and it is inevitable that a break will come. Before you let this happen, spend much time in prayer. Remember that your commitment is not only to each other, but it is to God. Listen. Be honest with yourself. Accept blame if it is your fault. Be willing to change when needed and do it. Re-read I Peter 3:8-9. Forgive when needed. Remember, God forgives you. Love as God loves you.
O Lord God, give me a heart that seeks unity and is not divisive. Help me be tender-hearted, sympathetic toward others, filled with brotherly love, from a humble spirit. Keep me from ever seeking my own revenge but to repay evil with good and cursing with a blessing. Help me be like Jesus. Give me a pure heart, always being honest with myself about myself so that I never think more highly of myself than I should. I pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord.
Robert
