GOD'S PARTNER FOR YOUR LIFE
GOD'S PARTNER FOR YOUR LIFE
Anyone considering marriage should understand that it is for mature adults only. Our physical, spiritual, emotional, and social maturity contribute tremendously to marital success. Regretably today, many believe physical maturity is the only criterion for marriage, laying emphasis on age and physique. However God places a high premium on the spiritual life, emotional stability and development including social interaction and relationships.
Prior to marriage, as a Christian woman, there is need to acquire discipline, temperance, industry and selflessnes.You must also be determined to make necessary adjustment in your relationship to withstand challenges and ensure a successful marriage. So you see, marriage is not meant for kids but for adults with all-round maturity.
Be careful not to rush into marriage because of parental pressure or in lieu of parental control. On the other hand, do not choose your spouse based on good looks, a fat bank account or prestigious family background.
Moreover, do not marry a non-Christian for whatever reason. If you give atention to all these principles, your marriage will be blissful and God-honoring.
Perplexity of a Single Status
Matthew 19:10 reads: "His disciples say unto him, if the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.” Similar to the words spoken by Jesus’s disciples, today, some is rebellious children, a partner’s infidelity, insecurity, financial squabble between partners and other related issues— and to avoid these problems, they decide not to get into a relationship. Some resolve to remain single so they can dedicate themselves to their career or the service of God. However, Jesus declared that only those who are celibates either by nature or dedication can remain single (Mathew 19:11-12). As a single woman, your decision about your status should not be determined by apparent delay in finding the right partner, evasion of marital challenges or the choice of celibacy by someone else. Celibacy is a gift from God. A decision by some to practice celibacy may be due to the fact that some of their body parts are underdeveloped, genetic infertility or impotency. Their action could stem from the knowledge that they cannot fulfill marital obligations towards their spouse.Therefore, it is important not to emulate anyone because your knowledge about the reason for their choices may be limited.
So, if you have no grace for celibacy, trust God for a life partner, and He will surely give you a suitable one; “for it is better to marry than to burn,” says the Scriptures.
Preparation for a Satisfactory Selection
Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife [or husband] findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
Proverbs 19:14 rephrases this statement:
“House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [or husband] is from the Lord.”
These Scriptures reveal that God is the matchmaker. He is the one who gives the perfect life partner. However, before He chooses a marriage partner for you, He will first consider your life, future temperament, disposition and everything that will make you compatable and ensure your happiness in the marriage.
God knows all virtuous persons. They are in His custody.
You cannot get one outside His counsel. As a single Christian woman, you need to go to Him in purposeful prayer and ask for the virtuous man that will be your husband. This is the only way of finding and knowing the man that is suitable for you to marry.
God will give you a virtuous and compatable husband if you let Him be the matchmaker. He honours those who have intimate relationship with and are dependent on Him. He respect those who respect Him and appreciate thosewho appreciate Him.
So what do you do for God to select the perfect man for you? In other words, how do you know God's perfect choice of a husband for you?
(1) Accept God's plans for your life as revealed in the ,Bible. Acceptance of His already revealed plans for you and obedience to His Word will encourage Him to reveal other plans He has for you, including marriage.
(2) Pray in faith and be constantly open to God.
(3) Recognize God's voice when He speaks to you. Some people assume that God only talks with humans through dreams or visions. God is not stereotyped. He speaks to men in different ways, including via peace of with respect to marriage. Recognize how He speaks to you, and obey His voice.
(4) Learn to be neutral. Do not have an idol in the heart (Ezekiel 14:3-4).
(5) Abstain from every appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Perception of Spiritual Guidance
God may be talking to you right now about His marriage plan for you, but like young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4-5, you cannot decipher His voice. Samuel misconceived His voice for that of Eli. How do you recognize God's distinctive voice and not misconstrue it for that of the devil or assume that your mind is playing tricks on you? In other words, how do you perceive divine guidance in marriage? Well, you do that through:
(1) Inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 30:21).
(2) The restraint of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7).
(3) Revelation through dream (Acts 16:9-10).
(4) Divinely-arranged circumstances (1 Samuel 9:16-20).
(5) Divine insight in the Word of God (Psalm 119:105, 130).
(6) Peace of mind (Philippians 4:7).
(7) Deep feeling of love for a man (Song of Solomon 8:6-7).
(8) Spirit-guided counseling and confirmation by godly leaders (Luke 1:34-47). Remember, God loves you. As a loving Father, He gives bountifully and will not deprive you of any good thing. Therefore, trust and obey Him; He will give you a perfect husband.
Comments
Post a Comment