Weekly Devotional
Kindness Leads to Repentance
Kindness Leads to Repentance "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" - Romans 2:4 (NASB) Today’s devotional topic might be a little difficult to swallow and embrace, but it is something we must come to believe, not just in our minds but especially in our hearts. As you stand for restoration, it’s essential to remember that kindness is a powerful instrument in God’s hands. As you stand hurting and seeing your spouse living their life without you, it’s easy to let frustration and bitterness build. After all, your spouse might be making choices that appear ungodly and create an even greater distance from them coming home. A major temptation many standers face is to hope the spouse experiences hardship and difficulties, believing that this will bring them to their senses, much like the prodigal son in the pig pen. However, today’s devotional is a reminder that kindness, not troubles and hardships, is the key that can unlock the door to repentance. Our verse for today is found in Romans 2:4 (NASB): “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” In this verse, the apostle Paul highlights a profound truth we can’t ignore: God’s kindness leads to repentance. Instead of wrath or punishment, God’s kindness is what turns hearts toward Him. This, my dear friend, is what I want you to embrace and pray over your spouse today. During this challenging season, it’s crucial not to wish ill will upon your spouse, no matter how hurt you are or how bad they are currently acting. Instead, choose to exhibit kindness towards them, both in the natural and in the spiritual realm. Your kindness may be the very thing God uses to touch their hearts and lead them to repentance and reconciliation. I know it’s hard, but we must resist the urge to hope for our spouse to “hit rock bottom” or “pray them into the pigpen,” so they have to deal with hardships in the hope that they will turn back. I know some people teach this, but I could not disagree more. We must remember that God’s ways are higher than ours, and He doesn’t need to employ harsh measures to bring about change. His kindness is sufficient for repentance. In your stand for marriage restoration, start by praying for your spouse to be blessed with the kindness and goodness of God in all areas of their lives. Ask God to reveal His love to them, even in the midst of their wrong choices and decisions. Remember, God’s love and kindness are not dependent on human behavior. He extends His goodness even when we don’t deserve it. Many people talk about the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 as a biblical example of how their spouses should struggle and “come to their senses.” But I believe they are missing the entire point of the story. While the son was in the pigpen, he remembered the kindness and abundance his father gave to even the servants and animals, and that character quality led the son back home. It was the memory of his father’s love and generosity that led him to repentance. Similarly, your kindness to your spouse can serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the love they once experienced in your marriage. It’s so important to recognize that God doesn’t withhold blessings from those who have gone astray. The Bible reminds us that God’s rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5:45) Rain in the Bible represents blessings. So, don’t be surprised if God continues to bless your spouse during this season! Rather than resenting any good events that happen to them or if they receive things they enjoy, rejoice in the knowledge that God’s kindness may be at work in their life. I recall when Christine and I were separated, during my own stand for marriage restoration, when her parents' friend gave her a convertible. Instead of rejoicing, I found myself upset and worried. I was concerned that this blessing of a new car might convey to Chris that God was pleased with her choices and interpret it as Him blessing her decision to divorce me. I’ll never forget the response God gave me after I thought that. At that moment, God quickly and harshly rebuked me, saying, “How dare you be upset about how I bless my daughter? It’s the devil that wants to destroy her. I want to love her!” In an instant, I felt the conviction of the Lord. This was a powerful reminder to me that God’s kindness was not how I viewed it, and I was the one that needed to change. So, as you stand for your marriage, continue to believe that kindness is a supernatural tool that will lead your spouse to repentance. Pray for them fervently, asking God to reveal His kindness and goodness to them in unique and remarkable ways. Trust in God’s timing, for it is His kindness that will draw them back into your loving embrace. Will you accept and adopt this principle today and no longer be afraid of the kindness and blessings of the Lord over your spouse? If you do, I believe that it will release a supernatural move of God that the devil absolutely hates, and you will passionately love!
