4. Midlife Marriage

Midlife Marriage

A metaphor to our life and marriage can be seen in the statue of David sculpted by Michelangelo. Did you know it was made out of a flawed piece of marble? An earlier artist had begun to work on it, but later quit saying the marble was not good. The large block sat neglected for twenty-five years before it was commissioned again. This time, under the skilled hands of the great master of the Renaissance, the marble came to life.

When it comes to moving mountains in our marriages, God has unlimited ways to bring about the shaping we need to be the best husband or wife for our spouse. We may feel flawed or long neglected, but in the skillful hands of our Creator a beautiful outcome can result.

It may not be an instant fix by divine intervention. It could be the faithful chipping away of the rough edges of our life. What is most important is that we let God do His sculpting work. “But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Even when we think that no amount of chipping away on the marble can save our our marriage, there is still hope! King David was facing impossible odds battling the Philistines who greatly outnumbered him. God gave him a miraculous victory that exceeded human ability.

In the exuberance of his triumph, he introduces us to a name of God that is particularly relevant to our marriage relationship: the “Lord of the Breakthrough!” (2 Samuel 5:20) The only way David’s success could have happened was that the God of heaven intervened and broke through all the barriers facing him. That can also happen for us in our marriage.

Think of this name when you put your life and marriage in God’s hands. Hands that can create a masterpiece and breakthrough every obstacle.

Scripture Review

But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.* (2 Samuel 5:20)

*”Lord of the Breakthrough” or “Master of the Breakthrough”