The views expressed below are those of the writer and may not reflect the views of Rejoice Marriage Ministries or the Steinkamps.
“What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus…crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. Hebrews 2:6-9 RSV (emphasis added)
Your heart is heavy with afflictions and trials. Your marriage is falling apart and you are distraught, downtrodden and discouraged. Despite your best efforts to restore your marriage and family, you see no evidence to suggest that healing is even a remote possibility. This passage from the Letter to the Hebrews should inflame your heart with hope. The author of this letter acknowledges how you are feeling about your situation. Your family is being destroyed and you do not see God’s hand in what is happening. God has given Jesus authority over your marriage by “putting everything in subjection under his feet” and “he left nothing outside his control” (Heb 2:8). Be encouraged by these words even if you see evidence to the contrary. What you can see through Scripture is the end of the story with Christ sitting victoriously on His throne, “crowned with glory and honor” (Heb 2:9).
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1:21-27 RSV (emphasis added)
Imagine that you are in the synagogue, listening to Jesus teach “as one having authority” (Mk 1:22). You are astounded by the wisdom of His words. In walks a man tormented by an evil spirit. The evil spirit in the man speaks to Jesus, “Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God” (Mk 1:24). Even the evil spirit knows who Jesus is. Your gaze turns from the man to the face of Jesus. You think, “How will he react to such a profound pronouncement?” You see Jesus with a wry smile on His face as if to say, “Yes, I am the Holy One of God and I have come to destroy you.” With that, Jesus rebukes the spirit and it comes out of the man. You are amazed by what you have just seen. In astonishment, you exclaim “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him” (Mk 1:27).
Jesus came to destroy evil. He has authority over your situation. He is one with you. He sees your suffering and pain. He wants to deliver you from the evil forces that have crippled your marriage and family. For a moment, pause from looking at the dire circumstances you are facing. Thank Jesus, right now, for that which you do not yet see. He has your life in His hands. He is in control. He has destroyed evil. He reigns victorious. Praise be to God.
But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently… And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:24b-25, 28 NIV
During the eight-year stand for my marriage, what was visible to the human eye was a roller coaster of circumstances and emotion. One moment restoration looked plausible and moments later, inconceivable. During this time of continual churning, God was consistently providing me with hope, joy and a profound sense of His presence. He was with me throughout. In due time, God brought my wife home. I pray that He will do for you, what He miraculously did for me.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Peace and blessings, my Brother in Christ.
Dennis Wingfield
