Still Single but not Forgotten
It is rather a common reaction for singles to be discouraged when God has not yet answered their prayers for a godly spouse, but God has not ignored their desire and need for a godly helpmate.
Although not everyone likes Math, yet the singles are fond of counting years – years of unanswered prayer for a spouse, years of birthday wishes ungranted, and years left in the biological fruitfulness for women. It seems that each year that passed by means getting farther away from the possibility of being married. It appears that God has ignored your desire for marriage. It is common for singles to think and feel this way and end up despaired and discouraged to live a fulfilling life. Has God forgotten about your need?
King David went through similar hopelessness when he expressed his deep emotions in Psalm 13. In verse 1 and 2, he asked God how long He will forget him. Although he may not be in despair for not finding a spouse, but this doubtfulness if God would ever answer his request is apparent.
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day and have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13: 1-2a, NIV).
Singles could relate to King David’s questions to God and rephrasing based on their situation, the questions could be “How long, O Lord will I wait to find my spouse? Will I wait forever?” Well, in the waiting process King David assured himself of resting in God. In Psalm 62 verses 1, 5 and 8, he encouraged his soul to trust in God. We singles are to do the same.
“1My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. 5Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 8Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.”
God has not forgotten you nor your need for a godly life partner. The necessity for a helpmate is valid especially when your purpose is to serve the Lord through the union and to raise up godly children. It was God Himself that introduced the idea of marriage in Genesis. The truth that Psalms 139:15-16 tells us could inspire that God knows everything about us including our desires and He has a finished plan for our life.
“15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
My advice to singles that are still waiting for their godly partners, is to put their faith into action. Although we wait to God for answers to our prayer for a godly spouse, we also have to actively pray for His answer, enthusiastically pray for the godly person and willingly find him/her. Trying to know other people and coming out of your fortified shell is one way. Naturally, in your dating, one criterion is the relationship of that person with God. Does he or she have a close walk with the Lord? Do they honor God in their actions, speech and thoughts? We have to put in mind that the process of finding our spouse should also bring glory to God since it is an act of faith.
God confirmed to be our ever-present guide. Hence, when you are looking for that godly spouse, remember God’s promise in Psalm 32:8. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
So now, don’t despair nor be discouraged that you are still single. Lean on to God, make this exciting season of waiting a time of learning from God to teach you His way and leading you to your godly spouse and ministry partner.
