Daily Devotional

LOVE YOUR WIFE AND CHERISH HER

April 26

eloved, a man should love his wife "as he loves his own body."(Ephesians 5:33 NKJV) Don't you understand that if you are harsh to her and mistreat her in any manner, it is the same as doing these things directly to the Lord. Your wife is a gift to you from God. If you are critical of her and scorn her in any way, you have done this very thing to God! This is a serious matter! If you are suffering in any way, it may well be connected to the way that you deal with your wife. She is to be spoken to with much tenderness and kindness. She is to be preferred above any other woman in the entire universe. She is to be treated with respect. If you treat her in any other way, then you are transferring to her your own resentment and disrespect from a seed of bitterness or evil judgment against another woman or women of the past. In fact, the woman given to you by God is a test for you. If you fail with her to love, bless, protect and lay down your life for her, you will not be given any kind of successful walk with God, your Father. You will suffer many sorrows and fail at any attempt to be happy or peaceful in the presence of your Heavenly Father. Again, this is a serious matter. Here is an admission, confession and repentance that is appropriate for any who are guilty of the above: "Father, I have taken my wife for granted. I have not cherished her as I promised in my marriage vows. I have criticized her, rejected her in some ways, and I have lost sight of the love and care that I must give her to be justified in your sight. Forgive me Father. I have been self-centered, angry, fearful and full of pride in the presence of my wife. I need you to help me so that I do not lose her! Come, Holy Spirit and restore to me my wife and her love for me, in Jesus' name." Now, you are doing well my son! Get up and change your behavior, and give praise to your Father for the gift of your wife! Your praises are heard in heaven, and I will help you to see a breakthrough in your marriage now!

Prayer

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Once again you have blessed me Father. You have awakened me to my stubbornness and pride. I have criticized my wife for the way she looks and acts, and I have stolen from her the self-worth and motivation to be beautiful for me. I am to blame! I confess this, and I repent in the name of Jesus, amen!