HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 211
page A209
• SO NG O F S O NG S 1 :1 2 | The king is lying on his couch, enchanted by the fragrance of my
perfume.
Look for ways to please one another. People experience love in different ways. Scent
seemed to be one way that Solomon’s young wife experienced love or pleasure. Ask your
spouse what pleases him or her most and make an effort to help them experience that
with you.
What should I do when my spouse constantly irritates me?
• PR O VE R B S 3 1 :1 0 | Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than
rubies. (See note on page 586.)
• PR O VE R B S 3 1 :1 1 | Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
• PR O VE R B S 3 1 :1 2 | She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
• E C C L E S I A S T E S 9 :9 | Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days
of life. . . . The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. (See note on page 593.)
The next time something irritates you about your spouse, keep in mind the blessings your
spouse brings to you as well—precious times, trust, satisfaction, fulfilled needs, helpfulness, happiness.
• E Z R A 9 :2 | “For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have
taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed
marriages.”
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 6 :1 4 | Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness?
The person you marry can build you up or destroy you. The Bible encourages believers not
to marry someone who is an unbeliever. It would be too easy for that person to tempt you
away from your faith and it would be impossible to be unified in raising your children to
love God. Even if you are marrying another believer, it is still important that you are marrying for the right reasons.
How can I rekindle love in my marriage?
• H E B R E W S 1 3 :4 | Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage.
Before you are married, it is essential that you make a lifetime, irrevocable commitment to
stay married. Then when problems come, you won’t be looking for a way out; instead, you
will look for a way through.
• J A ME S 5 :1 6 | Confess your sins to each other . . .
If your actions or words have caused a rift between you and your spouse, confess
your fault and ask forgiveness. Confession drives away anger and opens the door to
communication.
• SO NG O F S O NG S 4 :1 | You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes
are like doves behind your veil. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down
the slopes of Gilead. (See note on page 599.)
You probably shouldn’t try these exact words on your spouse today, but in ancient times
this would have been a great compliment! Make it a point to give compliments and speak
encouraging words to your spouse every day.
• SO NG O F S O NG S 2 :1 0 -1 3 | My lover said to me, “Rise up, my darling! Come away with
me, my fair one! Look, the winter is past. . . . The flowers are springing up. . . . The fig trees
are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!”
Take a break together from responsibilities and routine. Have fun! Enjoy life and one
another!
HelpFinder
• 1 K I NG S 1 1 :2 | The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry
them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving
them anyway. (See note on page 312.)
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Why should I be careful who I marry?