“Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?” So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were acceptable to you!” But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a permanent covenant for his future offspring.” (Genesis 17:17–19, CSB)
But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac.No one likes to be told they are wrong. In fact, no one likes to be told much of anything. Yet, when we are wrong, especially in marriage, someone has to stop us from continuing down the path of no return and steering us back to the Path of Life.
When God steps up and voices His disapproval for our choices and opinions, we know things are serious. But God cares about the thought life of a husband and wife. He knows that “A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” (Luke 6:45, CSB)
So, God corrects. He does so through His indwelling Spirit, through the revealed words of God (the Bible), and from those around us who love and care for us. However He speaks to us, it is essential that we listen because the future direction and blessing of our marriage will depend upon it. God guides us because He has a better plan for us.
When God spoke to Abraham He vetoed Abe’s plan immediately. There is no room for our “shortcuts” in God’s economy. Ishmael and his posterity are still a thorn in the side of Israel. This is frequently the case. What we feel is a “help” to God will almost always turn out to be a problem for us, for our children, and for the generations to come.
So today, as you consider your marriage, your choices, and God’s voice, what will you do? Are you ready to step into God’s Path of Life once again? With each choice, we can either walk with Him or walk away from all that He has as we walk away from Him.
God has a plan. It’s probably close to impossible. After all, God does that kind of thing on a daily basis. Are you choosing impossible today? If you are, tell God your choice. He’ll more than bless you!
Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.
