Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:1-7.
“Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-7.
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Today’s Scripture teaches us that “each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.” Verse 7.
It is a gift from God to be single.
“But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.” 1 Corinthians 7:8.
“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4.
“But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.” 1 Corinthians 7:28.
“But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.
But, it is also a gift from God to be married.
“An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.” Proverbs 31:10.
“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3.
“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.” Psalm 128:3.
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4.
In summary, it may take a lifetime to understand what is God’s gift and will for us. We can pray for what type of gift that we want. But, most importantly, we trust in the LORD with all of our heart and do not lean on our own understanding. We do not reserve our happiness until we obtain what we want. We are happy if we are single, and we are happy if we are married. God does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. In any event, what is most important is that we reach heaven.
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6-6.
“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 104:11-12.
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” Philippians 3:14-16.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 