God’s Success Story

"God works in the faithful to restore them to their 'gospel' relationship." Bruce Waltke

Your hopes and dreams for an "ideal marriage" were preceded by the purposes of another. From the beginning of time, God had a purpose for your marriage: to forge a gospel relationship.

"Remember this and stand firm..." God encourages his people, "'My counsel shall stand and I will accomplish all my purpose'" (Isaiah 46:8-10, emphasis mine). As the ESV Study Bible comments, "The only true God will succeed in his glorious purpose for his stubborn people."

Marriage is the union of two stubborn sinners. Yet God will succeed in his glorious purpose to restore an ideal gospel relationship.

You may think your problems are too high or your rut too deep. But do you really imagine that the Creator and Restorer of marriage throughout all generations is going to throw in the towel when he gets to you? To put it another way: Do you really think you are the exception to the rule of God's faithful purposes?

In the days ahead we will talk about how to be a gospel wife. But we must start--and return often--to the truth that our work is effective only because He works. Our faith is possible only because He has redeemed us. Our hope is realistic only because He has promised to accomplish His purposes.

God will succeed in His glorious purpose for marriage. In fact, whether we see it or not, whether it feels like it or not, He is succeeding right now.