Today on Valentines Day 2021, I celebrate my 24th Wedding Anniversary with my husband Brad Israelson! 24 years ago today I said I do, I said be my forever Valentine! 24 years and 5 children later I’m still saying be mine!
I will never forget while we were dating Brad quoted to me a beautiful scripture. I remember the moment vividly, we were in my parents home in Bentley, Alberta, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet 4:8
I feel like this scripture has been foundational in our relationship all these years. These words “Love Covers” speak to me, reminds me how Jesus love covered for us. Have you ever had someone cover for you at work? You were on schedule to work and you couldn’t make it so your friend covered for you. Or maybe someone has covered for you when you were stuck in a situation and someone stepped up for you and covered you so you didn’t have the burden of carrying the situation alone?
Essentially this is what Jesus did for us. He covered for us. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 Jesus covered for us and settled once and for all a debt that we owed and could not pay.
Have you ever considered this in your marriage? In a day and age where 30% of Christian marriages end in divorce we need to be intentional with “Love Covers.” Choosing to love and cover one another is not always an easy way, but as we see in the scriptures above it’s Gods way. God covers our weaknesses and loves us through our struggles. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:9
Could Gods grace be sufficient for you when you encounter your spouses weaknesses? Could Gods grace literally flow THROUGH you TO your spouse? I believe it can! “Love Covers” is an extending of grace when our flesh would rather condemn.
Brad and I have had our fair share of ups and downs in our marriage, things haven’t been perfect, but we’ve learned to cover one another with love. I can see Gods love waving like a banner over my spouse, I will accept Gods invitation to enter that kind of love.
Song Of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him]. I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in “Love Covers”, settle it in your heart today and don’t look back! Happy Valentine’s Day friends!
