Waiting, AGAIN!

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

How long does it take to restore a marriage? How long must I wait for my spouse to come home? In answer to your question, may I ask you a question? How long does it take to rebuild a home that had a tornado hit and destroyed?  Or that a mud slide destroyed?  Or a fire or flood or an earthquake destroyed? It takes time!

Here in Colorado we have seen the devestation of a tornado; we have even, recently, seen the affects of a huge snow storm.  It's been two weeks since the storm and our fence is still not fixed. It looks better than it did, but it is NOT fully restored. The tree will never have all of the same branches. This many be what you are feeling.  Things have been cut away, and they will never return.  Is that a bad thing?  God is removing the old and beat up parts, so that he can make things new.  The root system is still in tact, and we need to make sure we are rooted in the right things. 

Every circumstance is different, but we serve the same awesome mighty God, who is right there with you. God wants to rebuild and restore the disaster and devastation of your marriage for Him to get the glory, honor and praise. I hope you will make time today to read Ezekiel 36:22-through Ezekiel Chapter 37. Your spouse's salvation and walk with the Lord is the most important part of your marriage restoration. When I, Serena, was standing for Josh it got to the point that I didn't pray for my marriage the same way. Have you reached the point where you are more concerned about your husband's salvation.  I remember when it changed.  Josh needed Christ; I prayed that he would not die. I didn't know where he would go--heaven or hell, so I prayed!

Waiting is part of restoring a marriage. Each marriage is different just as you are different and each wedding is different. We do not understand why some people have their marriages restored in a few months compared to others in years. I do know that the Lord's timing is always perfect. Manipulating, controlling, demanding and doing it your own way, only takes you on many detour roads as your Lord is waiting for you to surrender your will and your way to His will and His way which will always be the best for you and your marriage.

God has a plan and a purpose for your life, but number one purpose is for you to put Him first and die to your own fleshly motives and personal desires. You and I have to crucify our own sinful nature, daily. I pray today you will choose to listen and obey your Lord, first, for your personal walk with your Lord to change your own heart and life and then, second, by following your Lord's instructions in having your marriage being restored.

"For I know the plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

The enemy, Satan came into your home to steal, kill and destroy your marriage and every family member. He is still around trying to discourage and defeat you with unbelief, doubt and fear. Your spouse is blinded and deceived to seeing and hearing God's truths of knowing that your marriage can be restored and rebuilt on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. God can reignite their love for you and bring romance back into your marriage. The only thing we can do is encourage you that God can/will do this; we just have to wait.  AND encourage you to keep the right heart, no matter how long it takes.

You must also beware of the tricks and schemes of the enemy trying to deceive you by not wanting you to wait forever for your marriage to be resurrected from the grave of divorce. Believe in the power of your awesome mighty God. What promises has the Lord given you? Stop doubting! Believe! Did you not marry your spouse for life?

We get so mad at the devil when we hear standers doubting that they are to wait on the Lord for restoring their marriage. Why? Because the enemy is deceiving them now, as well as the spouse! Why do Christians believe that their Lord cannot save, set free or deliver their spouse from the bondages of sin or deliver them from the trap of the Satan? It hurts; we know.  BUT we know God can do it, too! Is that not what we pray for in church?  We pray for people to be set free, so why do we stop believing that God can do it in a marriage?

Often the enemy hits the stander with anger, bitterness, doubt, unbelief, jealousy, weariness and loneliness. How long should any one wait for their spouse to come home? How long does the Lord wait for us to come home to Him? God often waits for a lifetime for many of His children to come home. On their death bed even, at the end of their life. We have heard of people crying out to a God that they rejected and denied for possibly 40, 50 or 60 years! God waits for us.

Today, what is the enemy saying to you that are lies from the evil one trying to deceive you? Stop thinking negative thoughts that are straight from the devil.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

Yes, you may have to die to your own selfish desires of having a spouse meet your daily physical, emotional and financial needs, but your Lord can meet them instead.  

"I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God." Psalm 38:15

Did you marry for a lifetime or only for a season? When you said your marriage vows did you mean them; "For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death?"  We have a covenant marriage with our Lord. Allow the Lord to use you now to serve Him as you wait for your marriage to be restored.

We really try not to make it sound like the things you feel are not things we have felt, also.  We just work on giving Scripture to combat those feelings.  There were times I was so mad and angry at Josh. I questioned God for allowing Josh to treat me so badly. I have to admit I was frustrated at God when He did not just snap Josh out of his sinfulness or that He did not punish him for his sins!

Have you had those thoughts also? If you have, just stop and repent to your Lord. He understands and He stills loves you. God has much more grace and mercy for His children than we people do!  Waiting on the Lord is not denial of your marriage being restored or your spouse being saved. Waiting on the Lord is our obedience to our Savior.

Delay is God saying "It is not time yet." God's delays are not God's denials!

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isaiah 30:18

God rewards the faithful.  So, if anything, stand the test of time--even if your reward is only for being faithful.