Daily Devotional for Saturday, July 5

Virgins

“Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you,” 1 Corinthians 7:27,28.

We have all heard the saying, “the grass is greener on the other side.” It is human nature to look at others around us and imagine that they are happier than we are. This is especially true when we have become discontented with our present circumstances. Of course, we know the correct response; “you must water the grass where you are.” This is true, yet difficult sometimes when loneliness hits a single person that longs to be married. It is not wrong to desire a godly spouse to share life with. However, such desires can become all-consuming to our thoughts and hinder our relationship with God.

Paul warned virgins in the Corinthian church that although it is acceptable to marry, it brings trouble in the flesh. He wanted to spare them the distraction and struggles that accompany marriage. Anyone who has been married for any length of time will confirm the truth of this statement! Marriage is hard. It comes with many blessings as well, but it takes work. Paul thought it best to stay unmarried and give himself fully to the work and service of the Lord.

There are advantages to being married as well as remaining unmarried. The key to true happiness is submitting yourself to the Lord and His will for your life. Surrender your desires to Him and be content with where He has you. Beware of the dangers of comparing your life to others, which only leads to envy and bitterness. Be satisfied in Christ.

REFLECTION

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Darla Goodrum