Understanding the Marriage Covenant (5) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding the Marriage Covenant (5)

Dear Reader,

This week, I will yet be looking at Another Benefit of Keeping the Marriage Covenant which is:
Abundance

Abundance is God’s desire for your family. The first family that ever existed was born into abundance. The Bible says: Male and female created he them and God blessed them and said ‘Be FRUITFUL have dominion over fish…fowl and EVERY living thing. I have given you EVERY herb, EVERY tree to you (Genesis1:27-29). This, as an example, tells us that “abundance” talks of surplus, more than enough, prosperity, excess, plenty and increase. The Lord’s desire for your home is abundance. Prosperity is meant to be your portion –not only in your office, Church or with friends, but most especially, in your home.

God has said, concerning your home, that it shall be: …A watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:11). ‘Fail not’ means that you will not be short of provisions at home, both spiritually and physically. Again, the Bible says: Thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens (Proverbs 27:27). Yet, you are wondering why is God slow concerning His promises? Has God changed His mind concerning me? Is He angry with me? Maybe, God has not forgiven me for that sin which I confessed to Him the other day, or the one committed in my youth?

The Lord is a God of mercy, and slow to anger.  At the same time, He is a Holy God, Whose eyes are too pure to behold the sin(s) in your life (Habakkuk 1:13). He wants your home not only to reflect increases, blessings and joy, but also holiness, righteousness, grace and peace.  Both sides of the coin are necessary; you can’t have one side without the other.  You can’t desire the Lord’s prosperity and increase in your home and reject His holiness and righteousness. God’s Word says: Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and BLESSED him and INCREASED him (Isaiah 51:2).

Abraham, our father of faith enjoyed abundance to the point that he …Was VERY RICH in cattle, in silver and in gold (Genesis13:2). But how did the Lord bless Abraham? Did he just wake up one day and saw riches, cattle, men and maid servants, etc.? No! The Lord was able to bless Abraham and his household because he fulfilled a major requirement.

The Lord’s will and desire is to see you and your household swim in abundance, but are you willing to fulfill the requirements? That is, will you command your children and household to follow the Lord, or will you turn away from God when abundance arrives?

It was Abraham’s diligence in commanding his children (household) in God’s ways, that secured abundance for him and generations after (Genesis 18:17-19). He was not only an example of what the Lord required, but God was able to say “I know him”. Abraham made sure that everyone follows his example. In your home, can you boldly say others can follow your lifestyle?  Can they look at how you live and see God’s glory, holiness and commendation? If you can’t answer these questions positively, then something is wrong somewhere. Don’t be too quick to say, “Yes.” Instead, closely examine your lifestyle. Can you tell the little children at home to follow your example and God will be pleased with them? The Lord knew Abraham was able to do this. From the passage, the Lord reveals something vital to us. …That the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him… (Genesis 18:19).

The fervency Abraham gave to conduct his life and those of his household according to God’s Word, determined how much of God’s abundance and prosperity he enjoyed. It was Abraham’s diligence in applying God’s Word that secured God’s blessings and abundance upon his life and family. You need to follow God’s instructions before you can see His promises come true in your life. For almost every instruction God gives, there is a reward. Also for every reward or promise of God there is a responsibility (instruction).

Abundance in your home life is the Lord’s desire for you; however, it must be accompanied by a god-fearing lifestyle for not only you, but also everyone under your roof. Remember, there is no success without a successor.

Abundance in the home is not just financial wealth. You can have all the money in the world and still not be prosperous. Also, you can have all the children, furniture and possessions that you want, and still lack true prosperity.

You may ask, “How, then, do I enjoy abundance in my home?”  The Lord Jesus said: The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in ABUNDANCE to the full, till it overflows (John10:10 Amp.). The Lord’s presence in your heart and home is the first step to abundance. Allow Jesus to come into your heart today, and your story will change for good. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).