A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of February 21-25, 2022
MONDAY
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4
This week we will examine marriage in light of this scripture. Each day we will examine one definition of the word “honorable” and tell how marriage fits that description. Enjoy!
HONORABLE:
worthy of respect
How do you treat something with respect? If something is worthy of respect, we sow good seeds into it. Likewise, we are penalized and judged if we sow wickedness into it. By sowing good things into something that is already of high value, we can only reap things of value. If we sow bad seed, we diminish the value. Good seed would include the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). Bad seed emanates from selfishness: anger, strife, adultery, envy, greed, manipulation, lies, and injustice. This is against God’s law. They do not fit the definition of honorable, and therefore should not be sown into the marriage covenant relationship. Be mindful to do your part, and you will reap contentment and respect from your spouse.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Ezekiel 16:6 ~ And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
February 21: Exodus 4, Luke 7, Job 21, 1 Corinthians 8
February 22: Exodus 5, Luke 8, Job 22, 1 Corinthians 9
February 23: Exodus 6, Luke 9, Job 23, 1 Corinthians 10
February 24: Exodus 7, Luke 10, Job 24, 1 Corinthians 11
February 25: Exodus 8, Luke 11, Job 25-26, 1 Corinthians 12
February 26: Exodus 9, Luke 12, Job 27, 1 Corinthians 13
February 27: Exodus 10, Luke 13, Job 28, 1 Corinthians 14
TUESDAY
HONORABLE:
Bringing recognition, distinction; marked by honor
Married individuals need to be mindful that people are watching. Because God has placed a special distinction on marriage, because He calls it honorable, married persons stand out because they are married. When people see how married persons treat one another, they draw conclusions about the marriage relationship based on their behavior. Be an example to onlookers by always treating your marriage and spouse with respect. People expect married persons to behave honorably toward one another and they take note of dishonorable behavior. Always hold your spouse and marriage in high esteem.
WEDNESDAY
HONORABLE:
Special esteem or respect; reverence, good name and reputation
God created marriage from the beginning. “God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18). God recognizes marriage as being very special. He created marriage to solve the problem of loneliness. Marriage came as a stabilizing force and source of joy for the man and woman. It became the tie that made the two one flesh. When Adam vowed to cleave to his wife, he lifted the marriage covenant to a supernatural realm. With God there as a witness, man insured that God would watch over the relationship and keep it together. Because God ordained marriage there is an automatic respect that comes to both parties. The woman becomes “Mrs.” which distinguishes her from her former status. Married persons are regarded as belonging to someone. Old girlfriends and boyfriends stop calling, and a respectful distance is established between the married couple and outsiders. The spouse is now #1. People are not as quick to give advice or interfere with a married person’s affairs because the freedom is no longer there to overrule the spouse’s input.
Even bosses respect the spouse’s input. Often when job promotions are offered, you are encouraged to talk it over with your spouse before you accept or reject it. Because God says it is so, marriage is honorable.
THURSDAY
HONORABLE:
Nobility of mind
After one is married, he begins to think differently about life. Married persons begin to take a different place in society. Because you have to share your life with your spouse and children, you must begin to think more sacrificially and in terms of planning the future. You can no longer merely be concerned about the basics. Your goals become loftier, more abstract, and less concrete. You begin to plan toward values instead of things. Your thoughts take on a more noble character as you establish a legacy for your offspring. Your realm of thinking is elevated to more goal oriented, purposeful things. Because marriage is honorable, you will find that you set goals the highest in a marriage. Goals may be financial freedom, and sacrifice toward that goal seems easier. You have help. You have sufficient help.
FRIDAY
HONORABLE:
Great privilege
Perhaps the greatest privilege of being married is that you have a permanent friend who can love, support, encourage, share, help, comfort, give peace of mind, offer a second opinion, share wisdom, and impart to you a sense of self control and confidence that no other earthly person can give to you. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). The honor that comes to a person’s life when they have someone that they can count on and who is always there for them gives marriage a special place in God’s heart. Honor marriage and God will bless you. If you honor what He honors you will be blessed.