This past Sunday, as I preached the greatest sermon in the history of sermons, I asked the wives in the congregation to raise their hands if their husbands ever made them mad.
Some shyly lifted their hands, while other hands shot straight up like they were reaching for the stars, and a few wives raised their hands and started waving them back and forth. They looked like windmills. But then, I saw Sue sitting next to Sandy.
As every other wife in the sanctuary raised her hand, Sue adoringly looked at Sandy and smiled. I was suspect because even though Sandy is a great guy, there had to have been times when he made Sue mad.
After the worship service ended, I asked Sue why she didn’t raise her hand. She said, “Early in our marriage, we agreed whoever got mad and left, had to take the children with them. We’ve been happily married ever since.”
That’s brilliant. Sandy and Sue decided to do whatever it took to stay together.
This got me thinking.
It’s the same with God.
God chose to do whatever it took to save us, even if it meant dying.
This is what Paul meant by saying, “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NLT)
As you begin this new day, remember the One who set the stars in the sky, created the Rocky Mountains, and the dolphins swimming in the sea, is the same One who chose to do whatever it took to give you true joy and peace for eternity.
God is the One who made the choice. Our job is to give God thanks.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me never forget the choice you made to bring me home. I pray my life echoes and reflects your love into this hurting world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Now that God has made his choice, our goal is to live in such a way that God never regrets it.
Also, just for the record, the next time I am doing marriage counseling, I am going to refer them to Sue and Sandy. They’ve got it figured out.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 