Interdependence II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Interdependence II

Monday, 9 September

 

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. Ecclesiastes 4:10

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Colossians 3:18-23 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 

MORE LESSON: Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

When you support your partner in accomplishing anything, you are not doing anything special. You are only living your essence in the marriage; and that makes you relevant in the home. God instituted marriage as a means to help man and if a man or woman is not being helpful in a marriage, he or she is 'useless' to God's purpose for introducing marriage in the first place. I still see men who brag about taking care of their wife when they are only doing what is expected. The point I'm raising is, that you support your partner to get something done, you are not doing anything extra ordinary. In fact, you should call yourself an unprofitable servant.

This means that you should remain committed to doing that which you were designed to do even if you are not being clapped for. You should not say because you are not appreciated, you will stop doing what you are supposed to do as a wife or husband. The sun rises and sets every day, and for some of us, it is just normal and we do not even thank God for it; yet, the sun has never stopped shining because men do not show appreciation. In fact, the Bible says that God makes the sun to shine on both the good and the bad. So, you must remain committed to doing your duty as a wife or husband even if it seems you are not being praised.

However, this is not to say that spouses should not be appreciative of each other. Ingratitude is one of the evils of the end time and we must not be caught in its web. The Bible says that it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. In other words, it is a bad thing to be ungrateful. And if you are ungrateful to your partner whom you can see, how can you claim to be grateful to God whom you do not see? It is wisdom to appreciate your partner when they do something for you because what you compliment appreciates in your life.

Interdependence in a family also includes children. There are certain things that children depend on their parents for and parents also at some point depend on their children for some things. For instance, when children are much younger, they depend on their parents for virtually everything and when parents are older, they depend on their children's support. When they no longer have the strength to do all that they want to, it is a beautiful and honourable thing when children can rise to the occasion and be a blessing to their parents. So, let no child say, now they have more money but mummy and daddy should stop disturbing them. Your parents’ money made you, whatever you have today is because of what they did yesterday. And it is only a privilege to be able to give back to your parents. When this is properly done, it attracts the blessing of God. Paul urged us in Ephesians 6:2-3, Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray that you will be a source of encouragement to your spouse.

* Declare that nothing will come in between you and your spouse.

* Declare that your home will be a model to many around you.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, my season of uncommon favour, to do extraordinary exploits takes off now, in the mighty name of Jesus.