Monday's Marriage Moment -- Remember!

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
- Isaiah 45:3

My message for you today may seem contrary to every New Year's message ever preached or written, but I feel so impressed to share it with you: Remember! Yeah, I know. You have been told to "move on", "let it go", and "forget what is behind". Those are all true and appropriate messages, but the Lord is telling me to remember. Obviously, He does not want you to remember the hurts and rejections of the past. He wants you to remember the promises that He made, the lessons that He has taught you, and the hope that you have for the future. Remember, Saints! Remember all the good stuff. Remember the love that you felt for your spouse when you said, "I do". Remember the vision that you have for your future. Remember every promise that God made for you both individually and as a couple. Take a look at Isaiah 45:3:

 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.

This scripture always blesses me. I have had some dark times, but somehow God always allows me to find treasures in them. Sometimes those treasures require lots of digging. At other times, they are just below the surface. Either way, I am so thankful that He has hidden them there for me. What does that have to do with remembering? You need to remember that there is treasure hidden in you! There is treasure hidden in your spouse! There have been treasures in every dark place that you have shared. There is treasure hidden in your union! There are undiscovered gifts and talents in you that God wants to be unearthed. All it requires is that you remember who He is and who you are! Call to mind everything He has said about you -- every promise from the bible, every prophecy, every dream, and every vision! As we enter a new year, I encourage you to get clear on what God has said and carry it with you wherever you go. Write it down and place it on your desk, on your mirror, and on note cards in your wallet. Don't allow yourself to forget that you are a treasure, and God is about to expose your riches to the world! He is about to expose the treasure of your marriage to the world! He is about to bring your gifts and talents to the world! Your task is to remember the treasures you have learned in the darkness and secret places.