Day 9: The Enemy

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:33

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

The enemy is not your spouse. This lie becomes easy to believe when

Day 8: Strength of Heart

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

“For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
    I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
    I will have compassion on you,”
    says the Lord your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:7-8

At the beginning and end of the day, we are only human. Broken, sinful, faulty humans and God loves us anyway.

Day 7: Faithfulness

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:3-6

I was reminded yesterday of a time that I wasn’t getting my way when I was trying to take some time to be still with God. So many distractions were thrown at me that it was pretty obvious I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. All I could do is laugh, look up, and ask “What are you trying to tell me here?”

Day 6: Heart Guard

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:12-13

Dear Heavenly Father,

Day 5: Tithing

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! Psalm 90:17

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13

Day 4: Quarrel or Character

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
    and he receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.
Proverbs 27:15-16

She [A wife of noble character] speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:26-27

[Husbands] Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:31

God intended marriage to be a partnership that brings value to each other.

Day 2: In the Morning

Marriage Devotional: Traveling Spouse

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.
Isaiah 33:2