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June, 2004

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In The Father’s Arms
by Janeen Herig
former Southwest Regional Director

Covenant keepers all seem to walk through a definite sequence of events: First comes a valley, a time we allow the Lord to work in our lives, and then follows the manifestation of our healed marriage. The time between the “amen” to our prayer for our marriage healing and “there it is,” is different for each person because we all have much to learn.

The period before marriage restoration is a time when we are drawn into God’s presence, if we allow it to happen. Each of us is required to make a decision during this time. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If you are willing and obedient, you may eat the good of the land.” I like to interpret it, “If you are willing to be obedient….”

This is a very special time in the lives of covenant keepers. This is a time when God works the covenant out in our marriages. This is when it counts. This is where the rubber meets the road. If we make the decision to be willing, we may eat the good of the land. It is our heart that God is examining, our attitude, and most of all, our motives. 

If we let this be a time of learning, changing, growing up into maturity, a time to become a loving, trusting child of the Father, we will experience the joy of blessings as we grow and develop.

When we learn to know and love Jesus, trust in the Holy Spirit and let Him bring comfort and guidance and be our teacher, we will enjoy good fruit. We will have blessings when we allow the Word to work in our lives. When we keep our eyes upon Jesus we will see such beauty and love and we will have a companionship that we have never had before. We have to look to Him for everything. He came to heal the broken-hearted, to bind up the wounds (Isaiah 61:1) that a broken marriage leaves, and to make you a whole person.

We are challenged all the time we walk through the valley. The enemy does not want us to have any victory at all. If he can get you discouraged, depressed, angry and fearful, you will end up in a “pity party” and he will keep taunting you even more. You will hear the enemy say, “What are you doing anyway, why don’t you just quit and get on with your life? You know your mate is not coming home.” He will make certain that you hear all the bad news about your mate. He is the bearer of evil tidings, he cannot and does not know how to tell the truth. Remember, whatever he says is always a lie, so just believe the opposite and you will know the truth of the matter. This is why it is so important to keep God’s Word, His promises to you, deep in your heart and ever before you.

He gives us such encouragement when we’re experiencing the temptations that come our way. This is when He gathers us up in His arms to protect, love, comfort and bring us the victory. Ours is to trust Him and His timing.

In John 15, we see that Jesus told us to abide in Him all the time, not just when we feel like it. In verses 9-10 (TLB) Jesus says, “I have loved you as the Father has loved me, live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in His love.” We are all familiar with John 15, but we must make it a daily way of life. It is the most important thing in our life to do, to establish this relationship: it is our covenant partnership.

I received a book mark from a well known ministry awhile ago and I would like to share it with you. It is titled “Draw Near to God.” On it are seven points to renew your determination to dive more deeply into the Word.

1. Draw closer to God, press in to Him.

2. Get to know God in His Word.

3. Time spent meditating in the New Testament is time spent with Jesus.

4. Allow the Holy Spirit to have control over your mind by letting the Word dominate your thinking.

5. Constant feeding on God’s Word causes the Word to develop in you richly.

6. Acting on the Word brings Jesus on the scene.

7. Don’t get discouraged. The word of God is working in the spirit realm where it counts.

Covenant Keepers curriculum is written to help you keep your eyes on the Lord and His Word. Many of you do not have a group to attend in your area. I encourage you to begin to pray to get one started. There are many tapes and books available; send for them; keep your mind bathed in the promises of God for your marriage healing. Do not let the devil rob you of your victory.

Finally, if you will keep your eyes on Jesus and not on the circumstances, He will bring the victory. He must be the main focus of your life. There is nothing too hard for Him, no obstacle too high, no difficulty that He cannot overcome. He is the Lord over the impossible, for nothing is impossible with God. Remember, when the enemy tells you your marriage cannot be healed, believe the opposite—for it is the truth.