Post by Zac Loh on Dec 1, 2008 7:54:52 GMT -5
There are numerous committed Christians who are still looking for a life partner after many years.
Last week, within the span of two days, I came to know specifically of three dedicated believers of Jesus Christ, who are waiting for God to provide a life partner. Yesterday, the topic of another sister-in-Christ who is single came up during a conversation I had with my wife. I have had encountered many, including friends, who are waiting.
Recently, I heard about one desperate person whom I know personally, made a decision to participate in a Christian activity – influenced by you-know-what. I was one of these desperados until God cured me. And, praise to God, within a short period of time, I met my wife.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22)
What are the biblical examples which we can follow?
There are couples in the Bible whose marriage was arranged by God, or you can say, they had the stamp and mark of God’s approval. Their true stories illustrate how God made it happen.
I want to introduce these three couples to you, but I am sure you already know them.
ADAM AND EVE
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”
(Genesis 2:15; 2:18; 2:22-23; underline mine)
From this divinely arranged marriage of Adam and Eve, we can draw a number of powerful and practical principles.
Ministry Calling
God gave Adam a ministry which was the garden of Eden. Adam was to tend and keep it. And God gave Adam a helper.
Every man must walk into his ministry calling. As he heads toward it, then God would bring the right life partner along.
To men who care less about their ministry calling, and asking God for a life partner: let me tell you, it is unlikely to happen.
The right wife would be a contribution to her husband’s ministry. And it doesn’t mean that a wife shouldn’t have her own ministry. As she help-out in her husband’s ministry, she will also find fulfillment in her own ministry.
For men, if you are considering a woman who is a negative factor and discouragement to your ministry. Then you got to pray a bit more.
For women, your future husband will have a ministry that you will find it natural to help out. In fact, you are proud of that man’s ministry.
God Brought Her
I believe that God will bring the woman to the man. I don’t believe that a man should go around desperately looking for one. As a man finds God’s will, purpose and plan – especially in his ministry calling - God will bring the woman into his path. Only then, should the man make the move (which is a sign of leadership).
Women who want God’s choice of a life partner, must learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a good leader. He will lead you into the path, of which, you will meet your future husband.
On the other hand, women who are presumptuous in the leading of the Holy Spirit, are often go astray because they are just too desperate and emotional to the point of idolatry: always imagining what the future man would be like or just thinking too much about a man she already know. Many desperate men also fell into this category of idolatry.
Bone Of My Bones And Flesh Of My Flesh
Men, you would like the woman whom God is giving you. If you don’t like her, then hold on, do not go any further. Pray about it.
I am not talking about infatuation or romantic liking or physical attraction (we need to look beyond these things!).
But I am talking about a person whom you would like - in demeanor, personality, character, values and thoughts.
God can change your mind. But you cannot pursue further with a woman whom you currently dislike.
Women, you will find yourself fitting with the man of God’s choice. Eve was taken out of Adam. So it is only natural that you find your fit. You are to be with a man whom you are comfortable with.
ISAAC AND REBEKAH
So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:2-4; underline mine)
A Matchmaking Servant
Abraham, the father of Isaac, was symbolic of your Father God. Your Father God so love you that He is more than willing to provide a life partner for you!!!
The oldest servant of Abraham, the most trusted servant, was assigned to arrange a wife for Isaac.
God still do use His servants today for such purpose. These servants are matured people in the Lord who are trustworthy in character. Are you humble enough to accept this type of concept? Do not let ego get in your way. God may use His servants to recommend and introduce you …to your future life partner.
Country And Family
Abraham specifically directed his servant to get a wife for Isaac – from Abraham’s own country and family.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19)
It God’s specific directive, that we should a have a life partner from our own spiritual country and family.
We must be born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8) to be `fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God’.
We are not to have a life partner who is still spiritual `strangers and foreigners’ or who is yet to be part of God’s spiritual country and family.
Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
(Genesis 24:61-67)
Meditate On God And His Word
Isaac was meditating when Rebekah came to his situation.
Dear single brothers, don’t meditate on what you future life partner is going to be. Don’t fantasize and daydream. Don’t think too much about someone you already know whom you think is a possibility.
Meditate on God and His Word and God will bring your future wife to your scene.
Only then, you make the move to court her.
BOAZ AND RUTH
There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!” Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
(Ruth 2:1-6)
The destiny of Ruth was to carry the lineage of Jesus Christ in her womb. She was one of the only four women named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in a predominantly male list (Matthew 1:1-16).
And Ruth found her destiny in Boaz. Without realizing it, Ruth ended-up her future husband’s wheat field. She didn’t know that she had arrived at the place of her future husband. God must have somehow led her.
Women, be led by the Holy Spirit. He will lead you to the right man. You don’t have to figure it all out. Save yourself from the guess work.
Ruth didn’t make herself noticed. Men shouldn’t chase after women. Neither should any woman purposefully make herself noticeable to fish the man of her desire.
A WORD OF COMFORT
I have gone through shipwreck after shipwreck in this area of love, romance and marriage. And I believe that many of you are in the same boat (or the same type of ship!).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Let me comfort you, by telling you that THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU. You can have the woman of your desire. You can have the man of your desire. You only have to let God have your desire.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3-5)
God wants to change your thinking and mindset. Surrender yourself to Him. Humble yourself before Him.
As you begin to submit yourself to God’s changing process …He will begin the process to provide THE BEST FOR YOU.
Last week, within the span of two days, I came to know specifically of three dedicated believers of Jesus Christ, who are waiting for God to provide a life partner. Yesterday, the topic of another sister-in-Christ who is single came up during a conversation I had with my wife. I have had encountered many, including friends, who are waiting.
Recently, I heard about one desperate person whom I know personally, made a decision to participate in a Christian activity – influenced by you-know-what. I was one of these desperados until God cured me. And, praise to God, within a short period of time, I met my wife.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22)
What are the biblical examples which we can follow?
There are couples in the Bible whose marriage was arranged by God, or you can say, they had the stamp and mark of God’s approval. Their true stories illustrate how God made it happen.
I want to introduce these three couples to you, but I am sure you already know them.
ADAM AND EVE
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”
(Genesis 2:15; 2:18; 2:22-23; underline mine)
From this divinely arranged marriage of Adam and Eve, we can draw a number of powerful and practical principles.
Ministry Calling
God gave Adam a ministry which was the garden of Eden. Adam was to tend and keep it. And God gave Adam a helper.
Every man must walk into his ministry calling. As he heads toward it, then God would bring the right life partner along.
To men who care less about their ministry calling, and asking God for a life partner: let me tell you, it is unlikely to happen.
The right wife would be a contribution to her husband’s ministry. And it doesn’t mean that a wife shouldn’t have her own ministry. As she help-out in her husband’s ministry, she will also find fulfillment in her own ministry.
For men, if you are considering a woman who is a negative factor and discouragement to your ministry. Then you got to pray a bit more.
For women, your future husband will have a ministry that you will find it natural to help out. In fact, you are proud of that man’s ministry.
God Brought Her
I believe that God will bring the woman to the man. I don’t believe that a man should go around desperately looking for one. As a man finds God’s will, purpose and plan – especially in his ministry calling - God will bring the woman into his path. Only then, should the man make the move (which is a sign of leadership).
Women who want God’s choice of a life partner, must learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a good leader. He will lead you into the path, of which, you will meet your future husband.
On the other hand, women who are presumptuous in the leading of the Holy Spirit, are often go astray because they are just too desperate and emotional to the point of idolatry: always imagining what the future man would be like or just thinking too much about a man she already know. Many desperate men also fell into this category of idolatry.
Bone Of My Bones And Flesh Of My Flesh
Men, you would like the woman whom God is giving you. If you don’t like her, then hold on, do not go any further. Pray about it.
I am not talking about infatuation or romantic liking or physical attraction (we need to look beyond these things!).
But I am talking about a person whom you would like - in demeanor, personality, character, values and thoughts.
God can change your mind. But you cannot pursue further with a woman whom you currently dislike.
Women, you will find yourself fitting with the man of God’s choice. Eve was taken out of Adam. So it is only natural that you find your fit. You are to be with a man whom you are comfortable with.
ISAAC AND REBEKAH
So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:2-4; underline mine)
A Matchmaking Servant
Abraham, the father of Isaac, was symbolic of your Father God. Your Father God so love you that He is more than willing to provide a life partner for you!!!
The oldest servant of Abraham, the most trusted servant, was assigned to arrange a wife for Isaac.
God still do use His servants today for such purpose. These servants are matured people in the Lord who are trustworthy in character. Are you humble enough to accept this type of concept? Do not let ego get in your way. God may use His servants to recommend and introduce you …to your future life partner.
Country And Family
Abraham specifically directed his servant to get a wife for Isaac – from Abraham’s own country and family.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19)
It God’s specific directive, that we should a have a life partner from our own spiritual country and family.
We must be born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8) to be `fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God’.
We are not to have a life partner who is still spiritual `strangers and foreigners’ or who is yet to be part of God’s spiritual country and family.
Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
(Genesis 24:61-67)
Meditate On God And His Word
Isaac was meditating when Rebekah came to his situation.
Dear single brothers, don’t meditate on what you future life partner is going to be. Don’t fantasize and daydream. Don’t think too much about someone you already know whom you think is a possibility.
Meditate on God and His Word and God will bring your future wife to your scene.
Only then, you make the move to court her.
BOAZ AND RUTH
There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!” Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
(Ruth 2:1-6)
The destiny of Ruth was to carry the lineage of Jesus Christ in her womb. She was one of the only four women named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in a predominantly male list (Matthew 1:1-16).
And Ruth found her destiny in Boaz. Without realizing it, Ruth ended-up her future husband’s wheat field. She didn’t know that she had arrived at the place of her future husband. God must have somehow led her.
Women, be led by the Holy Spirit. He will lead you to the right man. You don’t have to figure it all out. Save yourself from the guess work.
Ruth didn’t make herself noticed. Men shouldn’t chase after women. Neither should any woman purposefully make herself noticeable to fish the man of her desire.
A WORD OF COMFORT
I have gone through shipwreck after shipwreck in this area of love, romance and marriage. And I believe that many of you are in the same boat (or the same type of ship!).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Let me comfort you, by telling you that THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU. You can have the woman of your desire. You can have the man of your desire. You only have to let God have your desire.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3-5)
God wants to change your thinking and mindset. Surrender yourself to Him. Humble yourself before Him.
As you begin to submit yourself to God’s changing process …He will begin the process to provide THE BEST FOR YOU.
