BED UNDEFILED II: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 20TH AUGUST 2018

MEMORISE:
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7

READ: Malachi 2:13-17

13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

MESSAGE:
Apart from infidelity, one other way of defiling the matrimonial bed is through domestic violence. This can come from the man or the woman. God hates violence generally, but particularly despises it in marriage, and for this reason, He said in Malachi 2:16:

“For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”

The breakdown of affection between married couples is a highly emotional issue with God, so much so that in today’s Bible reading, the tears, weeping and crying emanating from the agony of broken marriages made Him disregard the people’s worship, as we see in Malachi 2:13:

“And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”

Many people don’t know that domestic violence particularly among married couples, is a great hindrance and stumbling block to their spiritual growth and blessing. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit sent these words to the Church in 1 Peter 3:7, saying:

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Violence, wife battering, husband battering and the likes directly offend the Almighty God. I have on many occasions told the story of a man whose only daughter was maltreated by her husband. This man hated his son-in-law so much that his hatred made him terribly sick. It was not until he forgave his son-in-law that he was able to recover from his sickness. 

This is how much domestic violence can destroy lives and families. Husbands, you are inviting the wrath of God upon your life when you maltreat the redeemed daughter of Zion you are privileged to have as wife. Note that in Malachi 2:16, when expressing how much He hates divorce and domestic violence, God used the Name He uses in combat. Therefore, stop defiling your bed with violence against your spouse, either physical violence or verbal violence. 

Wives should learn to submit to their husbands, irrespective of what the world thinks about this (Ephesians 5:22-23). Beloved, the truth is that unless we allow Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to come into our marriages, the expected peace may continue to elude us. Therefore, I appeal to you to raise an alter of submission and corporate worship to the Lord Jesus Christ in your home, and you will begin to experience peace and prosperity in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:
Go to God in repentance for any form of violence you have introduced into your home.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 36-39 Matthew 23:1-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 17: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the master’s
Will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty thy love hath wrought;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

2. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

3. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured guest;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

4. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!
Amen.