What John described matches some fo the classic characteristics of depression. Unfortunately, depression is quite common and does not go away simply with the passing of time. John’s wife needed medical and psychological help – without it, things would get even worse.

Many Christians don’t understand depression and think it is only a spiritual problem. While it may have a spiritual dimension, it is often rooted in physical and emotional imbalance. If this is an issue for you or your loved one, remember Psalm 34:18. The Bible promises that the Lord has compassion for you and deals tenderly with you in your time of depression.

Take time to pray, asking God…

To help you be aware of difficult and dark emotions;

To help you recognize and properly respond to warning signs of depression.

If you have more time, discuss together or reflect on these questions:

What is (or has been) your attitude toward those who struggle with depression?

Have you ever wondered if you or your spouse may suffer from depression?

If you or your spouse struggle with depression, what help are you willing to explore?

Consider these passages for further study on depression:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

More questions on showing kindness:

1. Share a time when someone expressed kindness to you. How did that kindness change you or your relationship with that person?
2. Read Psalm 36:5-12. In what ways would you say God is kind to His people?
3. Jesus spoke of the value of giving “a cup of cold water” to someone in need (Matthew 10:42). Why did Jesus call attention to such a small gesture?
4. In what ways did Jesus show love in doing something kind for others? Name some ways Jesus has shown kindness to you.
5. Why do acts of kindness draw others to God?
6. Share an example of when your unkind actions could have potentially turned someone away from God.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Challenge

God’s kindness should motivate us to be kind to others. Still, sometimes, we are least kind to those who live under the same roof as us. Find two opportunities to show extra kindness to your spouse in the next forty-eight hours. If you need ideas, just ask them!

Gary Chapman’s thoughts are great. By keeping awareness, love, and kindness in the forefront, our prayers will be listened to.

The book of Job gives illustrations of poor listening. As Job suffered with illness, grief, and loss, he maintained his good standing before God. But his “friends” brushed him off and insisted that he must have committed some great sin for God to allow him to suffer so much. Finally, after enduring many speeches, Job became fed up. We can hear his frustration in Job 31:35; “If only someone would listen to me!”

God listeners will never share their ideas until they are sure that they understand what the other person is.. In marriage, this is extremely important. Ask questions, repeat what you think your spouse is saying, and ask, “Am I understanding you?” If your spouse says yes, then and only then are you ready to move on. You might say, “I really appreciate your being open with me. Now that I understand where you’re coming from, may I share what I was thinking?” At this point, your spouse will hear your perspective, because you have first taken the time to really hear what he or she was saying.

Take time to pray.

Emphasize to the Lord that you want to be a good and thoughtful listener. Ask Him to help you retain from expressing your opinions too soon or too strongly. Ask Him to give you ears to listen well.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

How would you rate yourself as a listener? Why?

How would your spouse rate you as a listener? Why?

Describe the effect that an interruption has on a conversation – from the listener’s perspective as well as the speaker’s.

Consider these passages for further study on listening:

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Don’t make rush promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God, After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.

James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Job 31:35 “If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.

When you don’t feel heard, trust in the Lord. When you don’t know what to do, trust in the Lord. He may not directly tell you what to do, yet he hears that you are trying to make the right decision. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman and helped me realize we don

We too may sense God calling us to a task or mission yet still not feel up to the challenge. Like Moses, we may protest, “Choose somebody else, Lord!” But as someone has said, “God does not always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.”

When we pray consistently and trust Him completely, God will fit us for the task to which He has called us. Some of us may struggle with an unhealthy perfectionism that holds us back. We think we need to wait until we have more skills, more time, more money or wisdom or health – but that attitude, as author Warren Wiersbe has said, “is not humility; it is the worst kind of pride.” If we rely on God, He will use us – just as we are – to accomplish His purposes.

Take time to pray and ask:

To think of one thing you feel called to do that you have hesitated to begin.

Consider whether God is telling you to wait or if you are holding back because you are afraid of failing.

Ask God to give you clarity and peace in the matter.

Reflect on these questions:

When God calls you to do something, which of your skills and talents do you think He will put to work?

What kind of ministry might God be calling you to as a couple?

How will you recognize God’s call?

Consider these passages for further study on Being Called by God:

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

Isaiah 43:1-13

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush^[a] and Seba in your stead.
⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

⁸ Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
    who have ears but are deaf.
⁹ All the nations gather together
    and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
    and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
    so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
¹⁰ “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
¹¹ I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me there is no savior.
¹² I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
    I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
¹³     Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
    When I act, who can reverse it?”

Romans 11:29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

Nehemiah 2:1-20

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, ² so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, ³ but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

⁴ The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, ⁵ and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

⁶ Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

⁷ I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? ⁸ And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. ⁹ So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

¹⁰ When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

¹¹ I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days ¹² I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

¹³ By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal^[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. ¹⁴ Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; ¹⁵ so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. ¹⁶ The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

¹⁹ But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”

²⁰ I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Reach out to the Lord, no matter what the situation may be! A great thought by Gary Chapman to show how to step out on faith.

One of their most profound commemorations is Passover. It’s fitting, then, that the events of Ezra 6:19-22 occurred during Passover. God saw His people’s needs and acted by changing the king’s heart. The king not only allowed them to begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, but he also gave them the materials they needed.

God’s past acts of service should give us comfort and hope today. If we will pray to Him, He will respond with acts of love. God knows how to take care of His own.

Take time to pray and thank God for the acts of service He has shown us. Ask Him to help you trust in His continued acts of love, especially in circumstances that are causing you stress or concern right now.

Reflect on these questions:

Name three acts of service God has performed on your behalf – or on behalf of your family.

How often do you commemorate God’s acts of service? Do you think it’s often enough?

How can you help your children fully appreciate God’s acts of service?

Consider these passages for further study of God’s love.

Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ezra 6:19-22 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. ²⁰ The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their relatives the priests, and for themselves. ²¹ So the Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors to seek the Lord, the God of Israel. ²² For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

Great direction by Gary Chapman. A way to focus on your servant attitude and think about ways you can serve the Lord and others.

From a biblical perspective, the purpose of life is not to accomplish our objectives. We were given life so that we could know God and bring Him glory. Marriage is a gift that can help us achieve that purpose.

Yet in the routine struggles of life, we spend more energy maintaining our jobs, completing household chores, and raising children than we do bringing glory to God. However, these very things, if done with the right spirit, do honor God. No matter how mundane a task seems, it can be an act of worship if you allow it to be. As you serve your family, you are serving God.

Take time to pray and spend time in worship. Praise God for His perfection, holiness, grace, and countless other attributes. Thank Him for the blessings He’s given your family. Ask Him to help you maintain a sense of worship in everything you do.

Reflect on these questions:

Why do you often put your needs and wants ahead of honoring God?

How can you tell if you are truly bringing honor to God?

What are specific ways you can bring glory to God this week at home, in your workplace, or your community?

Consider these passages for further study on Priorities:

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

I Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

I Chronicles 28:8-10

“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. One to always check to see if your priorities are straight in all you do.

In Hebrews 12:5-6 we read, “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Why does God disciple us? Because He loves us. He wants to turn us from a pathway of destruction.

If you are a parent, you also have to discipline your children for the same reason. Your children will break the rules. Kindly, firmly, and consistently, you must administer discipline. When you do, your children will learn to live under authority. When your children respect your authority. What could be more important?

Take time to pray…

To thank God for trusting you with the responsibility of raising your children;

To ask Him to help you make necessary changes to your parenting style;

Ask Him to give you the wisdom to know how to discipline your children in a way that honors Him.

Reflect on these questions:

Why does discipline often get a bad rep?

When have you experienced the Lord’s discipline? In hindsight, can you recognize His love in that discipline? Explain.

How can you make sure your children recognize the love behind your discipline?

Consider these passages for further study on parenting:

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Psalm 113:9

He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

2 Timothy 1:5  I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

I Chronicles 13:9-14

When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. ¹⁰ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

¹¹ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.^[a]

¹² David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” ¹³ He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹⁴ The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. It makes me think of making sure I don’t discipline with emotion first. Showing that you are in control shows your love as you discipline more to me.

We should be thankful for God’s generosity and express our gratitude in prayer every chance we get. Yet that is not where our responsibility ends. God gives us gifts as a way of preparing us for everyday life. He expects us to use those gifts in our relationships with others – especially our spouses.

God’s abundant gifts to us are an expression of His love, and we reflect that love by loving others. We receive the gifts of wisdom, insight, experience, expertise, and material possessions to enrich the lives of other people. God’s gifts are never given because we deserve them; they are given as expressions of His love for us. Thus, our gifts to others are not based on the person’s performance or what the individual has done for us but rather flow from our love for the person.

What gifts do you have to offer your spouse and others? What difference can you make in their lives?

Thank God for the love He has shown to you. Be specific. Share examples of when you really felt God’s love, and give Him praise for each one. Ask Him to bless you, to be with you in all that you do, and to keep you from trouble and pain.

Reflect on these questions:

What God-given gifts, talents, and abilities have people seen in you?

What gifts do you see in yourself that might surprise others?

What is your biggest obstacle to using your gifts to their full potential?

Consider these passages for further study of God’s gifts:

Romans 12:3-8

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

I Corinthians 12:1-11

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

² Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

³ Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

⁴ Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

⁵ And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

⁶ And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

I Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

I Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Using what we are talented with to serve the Lord goes a long way. Be creative and think outside the box to expand your true self. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman.

In grappling with this difficult question, sincere Christians have come to different conclusions. Some propose that all sickness and suffering is from Satan and that it is never God’s will for His people to experience disease. Therefore, if Satan inflicts sickness then the prayer of faith should bring healing. Although there are legitimate testimonies of divine healing, thousands of people prayed “in faith” (James 5:15), yet God has not categorically committed Himself to healing every person who expresses faith. Healing rests solidly in the hands of the sovereign God, who chooses to heal or not to heal, always acting for His glory, our good, and the good of others.

We cannot see the big picture. Hezekiah begged God to extend his life, and God granted him fifteen bonus years. Yet during those fifteen years, Hezekiah fathered a son named Manasseh, who became an evil king (see 2 Kings 21:1-18). His vile acts included genocide, leading the people into sin sacrificing his own son (Hezekiah’s grandson), and securing God’s judgment on the people. If Hezekiah had known the cost of those fifteen extra years, would he have changed his prayer? The painful realm of physical suffering stretches our faith; we can only trust the all-good, all-wise Healer.

Take time to pray to ask God to give you the grace to endure suffering; to strengthen your faith to prepare you for suffering, deepen your roots so that you know that come what may, He is good and He loves you; to help you pray in faith, not just for healing but for His will.

Discuss on these questions:

How does Hezekiah’s story show that physical suffering shows that physical suffering and death may not be the worst outcome?

How does the Bible frame sickness and death so differently than our own perceptions of them?

See Isaiah 57:1-2; Good people pass away;
    the godly often die before their time.
    But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand
    that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
² For those who follow godly paths
    will rest in peace when they die.

Luke 22:42; Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

How do you answer the classic question of the skeptics and the cry of suffering hearts: If God is loving, then why does He allow us to suffer horrible pain?

Consider these passages for further study on suffering:

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Romans 5:3-5 ³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

Great thoughts to focus our perspective on the pain and suffering of Gary Chapman. It makes us learn how to focus more on healing and let God take care of us.

Elisha demonstrated God’s deep compassion for a desperate widow and her two sons. Without a husband, she had no income or protection, and she was frantically trying to save her two boys from a life of slavery. “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. The answer lay in a lone flask of olive oil and an act of faith, and God provided a stunning miracle on behalf of one lone widow, whom He deeply loved.

How can that passion for the needy translate into your marriage and family? How can you align your heart with God’s and make your marriage more missional? Brainstorm creative ways to practice an attitude of service beyond the family. Once a month you may wish to plan a service project that the family can do together. This not only allows you to practice serving others, but it also gives you a shared experience. A friend is moving, so your family offers to help clean the house after the moving van is gone. A homebound person needs a visit, so your family goes and invests an hour reminiscing and perhaps laughing together. You learn of a financial need in the life of a friend, and your family discusses the need and agrees to give a certain amount of money as an act of service. A widow needs her gutters cleaned, her yard mowed, or her house painted. Your family agrees that you have the time and ability to serve, and together you meet this need. You not only meet a deep need, but you also forge a deeper bond together as you reflect God’s heart for the needy.

Take time to pray asking God to transform your marriage into a missional one.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

1. What deep needs are you aware of in your circle of influence – widows, orphans, or the poor?
2. How can you demonstrate the “pure and genuine religion” described in James 1:27?

Consider these passages for further study on service:

Psalm 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

I Peter 4:8-11

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

¹⁰ As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

¹¹ If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Kings 4:1-7

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor comes to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

² And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.

³ Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

⁴ And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

⁵ So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

⁶ And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

⁷ Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

I personally love this story Gary Chapman shares to put together the overflowing abundance that we can create around us. Be creative and you can do this today by just working together with others.

Solomon’s answer showed humility. As a new king trying to navigate his role, he felt “like a little child” wandering around. So he asked for an “understanding heart” to differentiate between right and wrong (1 Kings 3:7-9).

God, the great giver of gifts was pleased with Solomon. This story displays God’s generosity, for not only did God give Solomon what he’d requested – a wise, discerning heart – but He also gave it to him in abundance, as a superlative. Solomon became wiser than any other human. And God lavished additional gifts of riches and honor on Solomon.

This portrayal of God as the great gift giver matches other descriptions of His generosity found in Scripture, such as Psalm 5:12; “For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love,” Jesus emphasized God’s generosity in Matthew 7:11: “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” The great giver loves to give good gifts.

Pray to thank God for His generosity; He is the great giver. Ask Him to open your eyes to see all the gifts He gives you.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

Read Matthew 7:7-12. What does Jesus’ picture of God teach you about His character?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

If you, like Solomon, received an open invitation to ask God for something, what would you ask for? How does the invitation of Matthew 7:7 echo the invitation of 1 Kings 3:5?

Gratitude will transform your outlook on life and God. God lavishes gifts on you, yet how often do you take them for granted? With open eyes, make a list of the gifts God has given you today.

Consider these passages for further study of God’s Gifts:

Psalm 118:24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

Proverbs 20:12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

I Kings 3:3-15

Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

⁴ The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” ¹⁵ Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

It feels amazing to give gifts. I’m always thinking of more ways to give more if possible. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman.