What a beautiful message to men, particularly husbands, here. If you are a wife, do you felt understood and respected? Do you feel like your marriage is in equal partnership with your spouse? Husbands – same questions only reversed. It can be hard. Relationships must be treated with care and attention. There would be a lot more happy marriages if husbands and wives were to really pay attention to these truths (see previous reading for message to wives).
While today’s reading starts out focusing on husbands, it quickly moves on to the rest of us, women included I would say. If we call ourselves Christian, that is a follower of Christ, we should want to claim that and be known for that. Unfortunately, we are seeing a drifting away of the kinds of holy living we’ve been reading about. There is so much emphasis these days on self and not enough on God’s empowerment and our response.
I could talk for days about the importance of a relationship with God. Many would agree, and I would probably alienate just as many more. When I reflect on passages such as this I want to just hit or kick something. (I used to study karate and was a kickbox instructor several years ago now.) Why you ask? Because it’s so simple. It’s spelled out so nicely for us here.
God has given us an inheritance of eternal life. He has given us access to the Holy Spirit that will engulf us with just the amount of power and strength we need to tackle any obstacle when we call upon it. He loves us more than we can comprehend. The price was paid for our salvation because there was and is nothing we could ever do to obtain it. If all this is true why wouldn’t we want to live lives of gratitude and praise?
Everything about this reading today should ignite in us a way of life. Another great benefit, “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” God wants a relationship with us. He is watching and listening. How are we behaving? Are we talking with him, telling him about our day, about our struggles, about our questions, about our joys?
Take some time today to reread this passage several times to begin to digest a way of life that could transform you from sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, fear, doubt, etc. You’ll see it’s not always easy. It’s downright difficult at times. If you’re like me, you’ve probably stumbled in one or more of the areas he counsels about. Remember God loves you.
Let’s pray. Father God, I give you thanks for all that you are doing in my life and will continue to do. May I be listening to your leading. I pray for those who don’t have a relationship with you yet. They don’t know what they are missing. Help me to love others as you love and not judge them in any way. That is not my place. My place is to do what you have called me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
