Several years ago, my husband and I encountered a crisis in our marriage that almost destroyed us. I thought for quite a while that our marriage would not survive. During that time, I drew near to God for strength to endure because I knew I didn’t have the strength to continue on my own.
Through many tears and questions to God about how this could possibly happen to us, I very clearly heard God speak to my heart. He told me that I needed to be willing to let my husband go and my marriage end, if that was His will.
God reminded me that I needed Him more than anyone, even my husband. That I would be okay either way, if I placed my trust in God, not in man.
So with open hands, I released my husband, marriage and life over to God to do with it what He willed. And He was gracious to restore my marriage in time and now it is stronger than ever.
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. Psalms 71:20 NLT
I think about Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham loved Isaac with all of his heart. He was the first son from his wife, Sarah. The child that God promised. The child that God had told Abraham would be father to many.
Then God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him. Can you imagine what Abraham must have thought? “But God you promised him to me and now he is here. He is my heart. My dearest son. And you want to take him away?”
Although Abraham dearly loved Isaac, he loved and feared God more. Abraham was obedient to God and took Isaac, tied him up, and laid him on the altar he had made. Just as he was about to kill Isaac, God told him to stop. He spared Isaac’s life because Abraham obeyed God.
This is what the Lord says: “Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you.” Genesis 22:16-17
These two stories turned out well to the glory of God. I can’t promise that it always ends up that way. There are many stories in the Bible of people being healed and restored and even raised from the dead because of their obedience to Jesus. But there are also stories where devastation occurred instead of restoration.
We don’t understand why God redeems some circumstances and doesn’t others, but I know that God’s word is clear. We are to love and worship God as the most important thing there is.
Above our husband and marriage.
Above our children.
Above our health, and even our life.
If your marriage is in crisis and you think you couldn’t survive without your husband, choose to obey God and put Him first above all else. Then trust His will for you.
If anyone is occupying the top spot in your life above God, even your children, this is your time to change things. Put God first above all else. He loves your children even more than you do.
If you are in poor health, pray that God’s will would be done and put Him first above all else, even healing. He will bless you beyond measure…either way.
Choose obedience to God and make Him the most important thing in your life, above all else.
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26
