MARRIAGE
Powerful Promises for Couples
By Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Daily Life Producer
CBN.com – Did you know that there are approximately 30,000 or more promises in the Bible (depending on which biblical scholar you ask)? Which of those promises could help strengthen your marriage?
Whether you have been married for many years, or you are still enjoying the honeymoon phase of wedlock, you can be sure that at some point the storms of life will impact your marriage. When those challenges come, where will you turn for strength and guidance?
For Christians, it is comforting to know that having God as the foundation of a marital relationship makes it much stronger. When problems arise we can turn to Him and to His Word for help.
In their book Powerful Promises for Every Couple, authors Jim and Elizabeth George examine 24 of the incredible promises that God gives us in His Word. More than just a list of their favorite Bible verses, the authors explore what each promise means and what practical steps a couple can take to actively stand on that promise and believe God for whatever need they have.
Jim and Elizabeth said they were not believers during the first eight years of their marriage. But after turning to the Lord and seeing the power of God at work in their lives and in their marriage, the couple decided to help other couples discover the promises in God’s Word and incorporate them into their marriages.
Most Christians know many of the promises of God, Jim said, but they have a difficult time believing those promises can apply to them and their situations.
“It’s an issue of trust,” he said. “First of all, you’ve got to believe that God is able to fulfill the promises. He wouldn’t give us a promise that He is not desirous of fulfilling. He is all powerful. He has the power to provide the promise. He is not going to offer the promise of something that He is not willing to give to us.”
The next step, he said, is for couples to identify the promises in God’s Word and understand what they mean. In their book the authors explain that some promises in the Bible were given to a specific group of people, but they still have implications for us today. Other promises are conditional, and God expects something from us in return -- such as our obedience.
To know what promises God has given, couples must become immersed in His Word. The authors suggest that spouses read the Bible together and discuss it with each other. They also encourage couples to memorize Scripture.
“It is great for a couple to have verses that are their favorites that they can say together or memorize together,” Jim said. “They understand that, ‘This is your verse on this issue, and this is mine, and we are going to claim those promises.’ I think that will strengthen the marriage. A couple just needs to be willing to get into the Word of God and see the promises that are there for them.”
“And how wonderful to be a couple with a strong foundation that when trouble comes and there are problems in the family, or the marriage, or at work, or with the in-laws, or whatever it is, you as a couple have these scriptures you can stand on and turn to in those times of trouble,” Elizabeth said.
Throughout their marriage, they have both witnessed how God is faithful to do what He promises. When the couple first went into the ministry, Jim quit his job, and the couple sold all of their belongings and moved to southern California. Once they settled into their home they realized the roof had a leak in it. They never mentioned it to anyone.
They had often relied on God’s promise in Philippians 4:19, My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. They prayed for God to supply for this specific need and provide a way for them to fix their leaky roof.
“One day there was a knock on the door,” Jim said. “There was an envelope on the porch, and there was nobody around. I opened it up and it was totally full of money. It was enough money to put a new roof on our house.”
Their book is full of similar encouraging examples of how they have seen God work in their lives. At some time or another in their marriage, Jim said, God has used all 24 promises that they discuss in the book.
Even if someone’s spouse is not a Christian, Elizabeth said, that person can still pray the promises of God over their home and marriage. The promises still apply.
“No matter what season of life you are in -- a newlywed and there is not enough money, or you want to have a baby and you can’t, or you have a baby and the child has a difficulty, or you are raising a teen, or you are fearful that your child is getting ready to marry the wrong person, or your parents’ health is declining, or you are going to have to make a serious career change -- whatever is going on in a couple’s lives these promises take you through,” she said. “The promises never change.”
What are some of the promises that Jim and Elizabeth (and countless other couples) have come to rely on? Here are a few that they discuss in their book.
My grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
As the back cover of their book says, “You can always count on God. You can always believe God’s Word. And you can always trust in God’s promises.”
Perhaps David best summarized this idea of God’s faithfulness when he declared, Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10).
What do you need to trust God for today?
Comments? Email me
More articles by Belinda on CBN.com
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