Diane was devastated. Despite her husband’s absence for nearly half their 8-year marriage, she had faithfully supported him in his military career. Then, abruptly, he announced that he was leaving her and their children for another woman. Now she sat in a clinic awaiting test results that would let her know if he had left her with any “parting gifts”—STDs.
An elderly woman seated across from Diane noticed her telltale red eyes. “Are you all right?” she gently inquired. With nothing to lose, the younger woman decided to share her plight. As providence would have it, this woman had also been divorced after 8 years of marriage— more than 5 decades earlier! And she, like Diane, was a follower of Jesus. She knew exactly what this young mother was going through. As her new friend quietly prayed for her in the waiting room, Diane knew that somehow God would bring her and her children through this difficult season. It was enough grace for the moment, at just the right moment.
In Genesis, we read of another woman who knew rejection and abandonment. Hagar, a servant to Sarah, had been sent into the arid wilderness by her owner (Genesis 21:8-14). Having run out of water, she put her son in the shade some distance away so she wouldn’t have to watch him die (Genesis 21:16). But the angel of the Lord met her there and provided for their needs.
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He spoke of meeting our basic physical needs (Matthew 6:25-33). But He also provides what we need for the vast array of experiences that life throws at us. For some of our biggest needs are emotional. Life is hard. But we have Someone who knows what we’re going through. He will never abandon us. He’s within reach of our next heartfelt prayer.
More:
What does Matthew 6:25-33 tell us about how God provides for us? What does Romans 3:23-26 tell us that God did to meet our biggest need?
Next:
What are your needs? How are these distinct from your wants? How are the things that you want pleasing or not pleasing to God?
GrowinginChrist on December 8, 2010 at 9:18 am
I am so grateful that I can go to Christ in prayer and that he knows what I am going thru. I am currently seperated from my husband who is so against me going to church. We have been together 10 years. I was not going on a regular basis at first, but as I continued in studying God’s word and letting Him lead me, I did not want to forsake the assembly.He said I brought church into the marriage without consulting him first. I am superintendant of the sunday school and president of the choir. I attend on Sunday and Wednesday. But I know, that I know, that I know, that the Lord will provide for me thru this trial. I will show grace to my husband for what he refuses to know and understand. I will hold onto God’s unchanging hand. I encourage others who may be going thru relationship issues to please, please just hold on and press on, never ever compromise your faith in our Lord and Savior. He will carry us thru.
tim gustafson on December 8, 2010 at 9:36 am
I have a very good friend (my mechanic) who came to faith in Christ after years of ignoring or resenting his wife’s faith. It does happen! Praying for you today!
AManofGod on December 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm
God is amazing in giving us what we need to get through any situation. A lot of this blog rings true in my mind as I went through a similar situation. A Christian older man at church had gone through exactly the same situation in his marriage roughly 30 years earlier and his words comforted me. He told me that God didn’t save that marriage but a few years later God brought him a wife that loved him completely and in a way that would honor him, God and their marriage. They have been married for 20 years so far.
God knows our wants and our needs and He always delivers!