What God Joined Together - Family Radio

number one in the marriage relationship. Prayerfully, patiently, tenderly,
consistently she should convey to her husband her faithful love for him. Little
gestures, loving looks, a touch, all the things that were important during
courtship and the honeymoon should remain in evidence.
If the estrangement has greatly advanced, it may take time before the
husband will sense again the love and devotion his wife has for him. Moreover,
because his ardor has become like ice, the wife will need God’s grace to
persistently continue her efforts to rekindle desire in his heart.
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. It is entirely in
agreement with God’s Word for a wife to show her love to her husband.
Therefore, as God strengthens her, she is to continue her efforts to show her
love to him in every way possible.
GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
We have been looking at a marriage where the tensions have developed to
the point that divorce is looming on the horizon. When this situation occurs,
the unsaved couple has little to help them. Their parents’ desires, peer
pressure from friends, or a feeling of responsibility toward their children may
help keep the marriage going for a while, but because neither spouse
recognizes the authority of the Bible, and because their world increasingly
condones divorce, the reasonable expectation for this marriage is,
unfortunately, divorce.
On the other hand, if one of the spouses is truly a child of God, the
expectation for this marriage is much brighter. By God’s grace, if the husband
is saved, he can do much to protect the continuation of the marriage by
following God’s rules. Likewise, if the wife is a true child of God, she can be
very effective in maintaining the continuation of her marriage.
The task that faces the saved spouse of an unsaved partner who is
exceedingly disagreeable to live with is formidable. No individual in his or her
own strength can face some of the difficulties that can arise. Only God’s grace
can sustain them through stressful situations.
But God’s grace is sufficient. God has given beautiful and certain
promises that can be depended upon. God has promised He will never leave us
nor forsake us. God has committed Himself to the principle that all things
work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The believer has the assurance that he can bring all his anxieties to his
heavenly Father and receive the peace that passes understanding. He knows
that God is able to change the situation overnight. He is quite aware that the
difficulties being faced are part of God’s plan for his life.
In fact, the believing spouse will discover that the continuing problems
that arise from being married to an unsaved spouse only cause the believer to
trust God more. He will not have the wisdom or the strength in himself to
continue in the face of the seemingly mountainous difficulties being faced,
but how wonderful to know that all of the problems and frustrations can be
poured out in prayer to God, who dearly loves His child. With the secure
44 What God hath joined together...