God in Difficult Marriages/Relationships

And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death (2 Samuel 6:23).

These are the words that describe the relationship between Michal and her husband, King David.

It hadn't always been like this. David loved Michal. Michal was given to David by Saul who was the king over Israel for having defeated the Philistines. But when Saul became jealous of God's blessings over David, David fled from Saul's presence. And when David fled, Michal was given to Patiel to be his wife.

When David becomes king over Israel, David has Michal returned to him as his wife.

2 Samuel 3:14-16 records the scene like this:
Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Micahl, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins."


So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him "Go back home!" So he went back.


There was good reason why Michal should be upset with David.

And there was good reason why David should be upset with Michal. You can read about it in 2 Samuel 6.

But here's the thing: David is referred to as the "man after God's own heart" in scripture. David is often times seen as the par excellence of faith.

There are many examples recorded in scripture of why David would be called that.

While David is still called a "man after God's own heart", there was such a break in David's relationship with Michal that it was never reconciled.

Anyone who's ever been married knows that marriage can sometimes be downright painful and difficult. But as difficult as marriage can sometimes be, I've always counseled couples to do everything they can to work it out. And that's the counsel I try to live by.

But here we are confronted with a sad reality - David, the man after God's own heart, has such a disagreement with Michal that their relationship remains broken till their death.

Sometimes, relationships break. Not because of a lack of effort or even want to.

Relationships just break. Relationships come to an end.

There's no rhyme or reason.

It's just a sad reality in a fallen world.

So if you've ever been in a failed relationship, take heart. God is not even close to being done with you.

• Just as God continued to use David to establish his kingdom over Israel, God wants to use you to establish his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
• The key is to trust in the Lord with all your heart and understanding as David did. 

For those of you in marriages that are difficult. Take heart. God is not done with your marriage.

• God can mend and heal your marriage and accomplish great things. 
• Don't ever give up on what God can do in your marriage. 
• I am absolutely confident that when we trust in God and his guidance, God can renew and heal any marriage. 
• Hang in there. Take heart. Trust in God.

I don't know I am writing this blog today. I haven't written a blog in a while. As I was doing my quiet time today, I was struck by the verse and felt the need to blog. I pray it's a blessing to someone out there.