Are You Committed?
by pamela spurling
Are you committed to your
husband: thick or thin, good or bad, rich or poor, sick or healthy, happy or sad,
prosperity or adversity, fat or thin, warm or cold, wise or foolish, intelligent or
ignorant-------committed?
Commitment rides the waves in
storms of adversity, savors the joy of romance, perseveres through trials and testings and
is loyal to the covenant made before the Lord Most High. Another word for this commitment
is: love. It is the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. It bears all things, it believes
all things, it hopes all things, and it endures all things---it never fails. But we do
fail, dont we
we do lose hope, we do find things unbearable, we dont
believe the best, and we do fail to be persistent, dont we!? These things seem
simple to commit to before marriage
they are simple to commit to during the wedding
ceremony, they are simple to commit to for the first few weeks of marriage, then
life happens. Life is what happens when you least expect it---and then oftentimes, the
very things we think we are sure of seem to fade out of focus and doubts, grief, and
disappointment cloud the picture of reality. It is in these times that we often reject the
very commitment we once found so easy to keep.
When David was running from King
Saul, he continually had to out fox him, out smart his moves, and remain hidden from
him---until one point when David slyly closed in on Saul and was daring enough to cut a
portion of Sauls garment---the Word says he cut off his skirt---totally unbeknownst
to Saul. I think this would be likened to a wife doing something unbeknownst to her
husband
a sort of conquest against him. Initially asserting herself and then later
remembering the vows she once valued so highly. In due time, Davids heart condemned
him and he knew what hed done was wrong---it was spiteful and didnt show the
respect due the King. We do things like this sometimes, dont we
knowing full
well that a statement or thought or an action will be disrespectful or irreverent to our
husband---yet, we say, or think, or do it anyway. We even think we are fully justified in
doing so
and then our hearts condemn us
Now, while Saul was a man
almost
after Gods own heart, the Scriptures tell us that David surely was a man after
Gods own heart---though he failed (miserably!) his heart was for God. Saul had many
opportunities to serve and wholly obey the LORD but he didnt do it. He attempted to
obey God---but not completely
like we do many times, instead of obeying God
completely, he decided to add his own wisdom to Gods directions for a more suitable
outcome---we do this, dont we!?! Our husbands relate to us something they want to
have accomplished, or something they want to have done and we take it as a mere
suggestion, as an idea and often "comply" in a way that we think is best rather
than in the way they asked or preferred it to be done. Were not unlike Eve when it
comes to making decisions in situations we face: looks good, seems good: must be
good-----------but is it right???
Okay
so now, where am I
going with this story of Saul and David? The thing that governed Davids behavior
toward Saul was loyalty
he was loyal to God. He was loyal to a commitment to not
hurt or stretch forth his hand to Gods anointed. In the same way, our loyalty to our
husband must be what governs our behavior because ultimately, our loyalty to our husband
reflects or demonstrate our love and obedience to God. It must be the overriding factor
when making decisions. If it isnt, our decisions will likely be based on what we
think is best for us rather than what is best for our husband/marriage and will be
contrary to the Word of God.
Loyalty will stand in the face
of adversity
it will overcome disappointment and despair and tragedy---but loyalty
cannot stand alone, it must stand with commitment and this commitment cannot stand without
love
I share this with you today
because I have had many experiences where my loyalty to my husband was
compromised---compromised by schedules, personal plans, projects, etc. Sometimes I forget
to remember
I neglect to put first the very things that are top priority and allow
my perceived needs to dictate my schedule and thoughts. You know, recently my husband was
disappointed in me over a matter---he is very rarely disappointed in me and so this caught
my attention immediately! As he shared his concerns with me, immediately my wall of
protection went up, my defenses were readied, and I prepared my justifications. And
then
I thought on my ways
and in my heart, my thoughts condemned me and
I knew he was right---I was wrong. I needed to confess that he was right---this was made
more clear when I went before the LORD in early morning quiet time. Amazingly, when I did
confess to the LORD that I was wrong, sharing this with my husband was almost simple.
Because my husband is deeply committed me and to his walk with the LORD, his forgiving
arms were open to me and his understanding was great toward me. Now, why had I resisted
him? why had I thought my way was best? Pride
it is the pride in us that makes us
think we are justified in whatever we decide is right at the time---but committed love
crushed that pride, and I was able to be set on the right path once again. You see, I knew
in my heart that my husbands love for me bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things---it never fails. Even when I think his
disappointment translates into lack of love, I must realize that the exact opposite is
true---it is because of his love for me that he wanted the best for me and knew I
hadnt chosen the best---he knew I had chosen a wrong path and set out to help me
back on the right path. This is genuine love---I knew it then, and I know it now.
So, once again: Loyalty will
stand in the face of adversity
it will overcome disappointment and despair and
tragedy---but loyalty cannot stand alone, it must stand with commitment and this
commitment cannot stand without love
this will be true in your marriage and it will
be true in your walk as a woman of God. The LORD is your defense, a very present help in
trouble. (Ps 46.1)
I pray as you read this today
that you will not forget to remember.
I also pray that you stand,
therefore in Faith and having done all, to stand.
"Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Ephesians 6.10-18
pamela spurling ~ TheWelcomeHome
~ 2001 ~