The Power of Honor - Day 6: Pastor Kerry Shook
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“Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things….”
Hebrews 13:4a (AMP)
The current of our culture has sent the honor of marriage adrift. Either so disappointed by failed marriages, broken promises, or abandonment, a generation has lost hope in the ideal of marriage or simply left commitment at the altar. How do we restore honor in marriage, regarding it as something of great value, esteemed, worthy, and precious, an intimacy that is actually attainable with the help of God?
Solomon was right. He must have learned from his own failed relationships what he wrote in Psalm 127:1 (Ampl), “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it….”
Remember Solomon? He was the guy with a thousand wives who also wrote, “Vanity of vanities – All is vanity!” Eccl. 2:2 (KJV)
Go figure! The Amplified Bible translates it like this: “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless – a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes merely chasing the wind.] Eccl. 2:2b (Ampl)
Maybe you can relate. Whether it is marriage or career, whatever in life fails to have God’s guidance seems to fail. Why? Because we were designed by God to function with God; so, without God, we are dysfunctional. Like a computer without the software, we are just hardware. We are missing the Divine program. Once we install Christ, the miracle of life and meaning and purpose awaken in our soul! We come alive! In Christ, we have a power to live on and a purpose to live for! We no longer just live to and for ourselves. That old self-centered life was empty and vain. Now we live for Him who gave His life for us that He may give His life to us! We live now with eternity in our hearts! We have the capacity to love and be loved and to honor God in our relationships. Relationships are centered in Christ and aligned with His design, bringing joy and fulfillment. We honor one another, and we hold with honor what God honors – a marriage that was designed to reflect the kind of love He has for us to a watching world.
If you’ve suffered the personal pain of a failed relationship, don’t give up on the honor of a Christ-centered marriage. You may be broken – sin leaves us all broken. God can put the pieces of your shattered heart back together again. Just give Him your broken heart. Trust Him to make His ideal real in your life in His time and His way. Keep your heart rightly related to Him. As you cultivate your relationship with God and honor Him, He will accomplish His purpose in your life with blessings beyond your imagination!
If you are married, follow the counsel of Hebrews 13:4. Hold your marriage in high honor. Honor your partner with great esteem as precious and of great value, especially dear in all things! Now let’s get very practical. As you wrap up this blog, consider some ways you can show your spouse honor and then do it today. You will be honoring God as well!