The Delight of His Eyes

The Delight of His Eyes



My husband and I, aglow from the recent celebration of our Golden Anniversary, slid into our seats at church next to a couple who have been married fifty-six years. We greeted them and as the service continued I was aware of their interactions. He held the bible for her as they read and adjusted her wrap when she was chilly. Once he whispered in her ear and she giggled softly. As we stood in prayer and I laced my fingers into my husband’s I could see they, too, were holding hands. Later they stood together beaming as they greeted members of their large, lovely family. I have seen this stately gentleman open her car door, smiling at his pretty little wife as though they met last week.

God has placed within man the ability to love his wife as his own body, to esteem her more highly than himself. Sometimes we see this remarkably demonstrated, like when two men covered their wives with their own bodies during the Gifford shooting rampage. God called Ezekiel’s wife “the delight of your eyes.”

Clearly some men show no inclination whatsoever to open car doors, and it isn’t easy to sit there waiting for your husband to do something you are capable of doing for yourself. But if he is so inclined the wait is a small sacrifice. What a sad thing it would be if women, in their desire for equality, were to deprive husbands of the opportunity to be what God intended, our cover, protector, defender, lover, and friend.

Warring in the Spirit, 2 -- When Bad Things Happen

When Bad Things Happen . . . .


Sometimes, out of nowhere, things happen that you cannot understand. The pain, the loss, the suffering make no sense. You begin to wonder how you ended up in this place. I recently found myself on the sidelines while two friends, and a grandchild went though such experiences. We should find reassurance in Scripture:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, [he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

But how are we to respond? I have learned that it is important to remember that our Father who will allow these calamities will use them to build the man or woman he designed us to be. Modern Christianity often ignores the role of struggles in our lives. Since we are not taught much about our spiritual battles we can fall prey to trespassing spirits (messengers of Satan) who take advantage of this time to torment us. They try to convince us that God is not with us, that we are alone and better plan to guard or protect ourselves.

This can lead to all kinds of sins and errors, committed under the temptation to trust our own devices. As we seek God’s comfort we must also guard our hearts against these lying spirits. We can decide to be resentful, depressed, angry, fearful, or reckless if we forget there is a plan. I pray that my loved ones who are tested now will not make any change that cannot be biblically defended. All thoughts, attitudes and actions we make in our efforts to escape or avoid pain must be able to pass the test. We must rely on the weapons of warfare the Lord has provided.