O God, give us patience when those who are wicked hurt us. O how impatient and angry we are when we think ourselves unjustly slandered, reviled and hurt! Christ suffers blows upon his cheek, the innocent for the guilty; yet we may not abide one rough word for his sake. O Lord, grant us virtue and patience, power and strength, that we may take all adversity with goodwill, and with a gentle mind overcome it. And if necessity and thy honour require us to speak, grant that we may do so with meekness and patience, that they truth and thy glory may be defended, and our patience and steadfast continuance perceived.
-Miles Coverdale (1488-1569)
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Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24, ESV)
Marriage is precious because it was God's idea. It's important to Him because it is a rough sketch of the unity which exists within the Godhead. It is mysterious because husbands' love for their wives should mirror Christ's love for the church. I am so thankful for the gift of marriage and for my lovely wife. I listened to a marvelous sermon on marriage this week by Denny Burk. If you have the time, it's well worth a listen. He closed the sermon with a beautiful poem he wrote to his wife on their third anniversary. I realize that not everyone will marry, but most will. By God's grace, may we press through the good times and the bad and hold our sacred vows for His glory. The old man took her tired hand to hold for one last time. The years had fin’lly pressed her to her final breaths of life. Their wrinkled hands in warm embrace brought back the long-gone years, The memories of their happy times, and those dissolved in tears. The old man saw in her ill frame the girl that stole his heart. He saw in her that gracious gaze that filled their home with warmth. His mind turned back to lighter days when she did make her mark, The children her love reared for them, Her single heart for God. He also felt the weight of grace that marked her many years, How she had borne him patiently when he did cause the tears. The old man said, “My love, the time was cruelly short to me. I cannot say goodbye to you and let your passing be.” “How can I ever say farewell or ever let you part? You are my only precious thing, the joy of my old heart.” And as his eyes began to well, she reached to touch his face. And then her quivering voice began to give one final grace. “This is the day the Lord has made, The one He’s brought to pass. This day was written in His book before my first was past.” “The Lord has granted us to spend together all these years. He’s also granted all the joy and even all our tears.” “And though this is a bitter day, we owe Him so much thanks. Dear, we made it! By Him we did! Yes, we made it! By grace!” ________________________ Oh Father, grant that we may see our days as at their end. Oh let us know the weight of grace in every year we spend. We make this prayer unto You, for there is no one higher. This testimony of Your grace we desperately desire! From http://jimhamilton.info/2012/06/03/the-best-sermon-ive-ever-heard-on-marriage/ |
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