Psalms 34:8 (NLT)
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”
As single Christian women, we need to hang on to Psalm 34:8 with all that is within us. When it comes to getting involved with someone that seems compatible, it is extremely important to know they are trustworthy. If they aren’t, they’re not marriage material. This is a piece of information we need upfront and before we even think about becoming emotionally invested. Our Heavenly Father wants to protect us and help us guard our hearts. He wants the best for us, and He wants it more than we could ever possibly want it for ourselves. Psalm 34:8 reminds us that joy is the result for those who take refuge in God. He’s the overseer of all things, and the refuge He offers the single believer can be found within His guidance and wisdom. It will keep us safe from those who will be harmful to our relationship with God and harmful to our lives.
Every woman needs protection. Every woman needs to know that the man she’s with is willing to stand in his anointing to provide, protect, and be productive in the way God has ordained. And let’s face it, you don’t have the ability or capacity to know this information when you’re just getting to know someone. You might think you know the person you’re involved with, but even many married women will attest that they still don’t know certain aspects of their husbands after being married for years.
Relationships with a significant person are very important to a fulfilling life. Our Heavenly Father established the institution of marriage for our benefit, so He intended marriage to be extremely meaningful to our lives. In Ephesians 5:25(KJV), God instructs, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Heavenly Father wants us to have husbands that are able to step in the shoes of Christ when it comes to loving their wives. Why would any woman want less than what God has mandated for her?
There are some men that are very good at manipulating women to get what they want. I’m under no delusions here, because many women do the exact same thing, but knowing this doesn’t detract from the reality that some men do indeed use women in a negative way. They start out looking like Prince Charming and say all the right things. They know exactly what to do to stroke your soul so that you will trust them. Then, they take advantage and slowly drain your life. God warns us in Psalm 119:8(NLT), “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” Heavenly Father is providing much needed guidance and perspective. Our trust should not be anchored in anyone but Him. We must seek His guidance in relationships, and He will order our steps. He’ll place an invisible shield of protection around us if we trust Him.
The picture that God is showing us through relationships and marriage is that He desires us to cling to HIM! Yes, we are to love our spouses, but the mission of this union is to paint a portrait of God in Christ in us! This is the destiny that lies before every Christian who desires marriage. We cannot assume a position of refusing to listen to God and refusing to heed His warnings; the cost of doing this is too great a price to pay. Idolatry is to look for satisfaction in things other than God. Let’s not do this. Instead, let us pray for His invisible shield of protection around us, and let’s be patient until we hear from Him that the person we meet is worthy of our trust.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Invisible Shield ” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.