Psalm 51:1,2 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
King David had sent a man to his death so he could take that man's wife for his own. But when the prophet Nathan rebuked him for this terrible sin, David had a choice: He could turn from God (perhaps even finding a way to blame others for what he had done), or he could admit his offense and repent.
As we all know, David recognized that God was speaking to him through Nathan, and he decided to repent. The beautiful words of Psalm 51 speak of his broken heart.
I wonder how many people hear God speaking through another person yet make the wrong choice? What if Chuck Swindoll, in that defining moment in his kitchen during his tenth year of marriage, had refused to listen to his wife's cry of pain? What if he had continued in his selfish ways?
One of two things probably would have occurred. First, he might have continued to progress and achieve fame and notoriety-only to have his life and ministry fall apart at a later date. Second, God might have clamped shut the working of the Holy Spirit in and through him, and today he'd be ministering somewhere with very little impact.
Sooner or later, a man who continues on the path of selfishness and rebellion will end up empty and defeated. If he is fortunate, he will listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, often speaking through his mate, early on and save himself years of misery.
When Cynthia Swindoll told Chuck that she didn't feel part of his ministry, "It was like a light clicked on in the room." He told himself, "Swindoll wake up. This is the best thing you could be hearing. This could be the making of your marriage."
You can thrive in a marriage when you commit to create a partnership under the guidance of the Holy Spirit-and when you're willing to listen to Him speaking.
Prayer: Take your wife's hand and genuinely thank God for her.
Discuss: What has God taught you through your mate? In what situations has the Holy Spirit used your mate to help you become more Christlike?
3 comments:
I went to a men's retreat several years ago and they asked use to go outside (this was during the night) and find an isolated spot. Wen you get there, sit down and pray for a few minutes and then just be quiet and listen. They asked us to stay there for 30 mins. I have to be honest ans say that as I was walking to my spot I was seriously dreading it. I find it difficult to slow/calm my mind and just listen God's intruction. This also carries over to Kate at times. I will say that I have been working on it genuinely and I hope it is paying off. Anyway, the 30 mins actually ended up going very quickly. It was actually amazing to me the number of things that actually came to mind and at the end I felt refreshed and that God was truly guiding me. In topgun we learned about hurry up sickness. Knowing how driven most of you are, I suspect there is some serious hurry up sickness going on ou there. I know I will continue to be more intentional about being slow to speak and quick to listen. Like JMB said I am certainly a better person because of my wife and the Lord uses her to file of my sharp edges and to help me act more like a thermostat than a thermometer. I also know that I will be taking my wifes hand tonight and thanking God for her.
Blessings,
cas
my wife is great with her generosity, love for others, calming approach to things. i am learning these characterisitcs from her.
what a great challenge...My wife is so trustworhty and reliant upon God's strenght. I know there's a joke in there somewhere. Her dedication to God's voice is consistent and inspiring to me.
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