Pray Till Pentecost – Marriage Devotion (4/5)
Faith comes from the heart, not the mind. – Bill Johnson
Our faith is the result of encountering the goodness and faithfulness of God. It is not something that we can strengthen by our own labours. Faith grows in response to who God is and the impact of his nature on our hearts. Worship brings us into God’s presence, knowing that we are totally accepted by Him.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
When we invite God’s presence into our marriage, we see the outworking of His goodness. In marriage, the relationship aspects of trust, intimacy and commitment are closely intertwined. When one is strengthened, the other two are also strengthened. But if one is weakened, the other two can start to crumble. When you’ve got God in your relationship, it’s like applying a supernatural bracing to the framework of your marriage.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”
It is the impact on our hearts of God’s goodness that makes the difference. We will fail each other from time to time, but knowing God’s perfect love, His enduring goodness, keeps us in a posture of trust, intimacy and commitment towards our partner. We can’t do it on our own – but with God we CAN.
When we turn to God and hide ourselves in him, He works on our heart and brings healing to those places which have been affected by hurt, disappointment, shame, unforgiveness, pride or selfishness.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, open our hearts to more of your love and goodness. Give us a desire to taste the sweetness of your presence, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, help us to turn aside from our anxious distractions, and to turn to the One who loves us unreservedly. Bring into reality, the healing power of your love in our lives and relationships.
Amen
Resources
Experience the Impossible: Simple ways to unleash heaven’s power on earth, by Bill Johnson, Baker Publishing Group, 2014
