Love Because: Devotions for In-Law RelationshipsNäide

Love Them to Follow God’s Commands

My husband turned to me one night and said, “Imagine if we go on to live lives that so impact His kingdom that on the day we met, perhaps God told the angels nearby, ‘They’re meeting today; you may want to watch this.’”

And it’s a profound thought, because it is a thought that is reflective of a much larger truth: the Creator of the universe, the maker of heaven and earth, the One who spoke galaxies into existence, also takes the time to watch and enjoy us meeting the love of our lives. And my personal love story that I cherish with all my heart is what led to my in-laws being in my life.

Scripture clearly commands us to honor our parents—and by extension, our in-laws when we marry. And this commandment has a promise attached. How wonderful! Because of this, it is feasible to believe Satan would have it under particular attack. Why would the enemy want us to enjoy the blessings of God’s commandments in our personal and marital lives? So he creates barriers with in-laws instead; he creates hurts and misunderstood intentions, and instead of harvesting blessings, we hoe a wedge between us.

But honoring this parental relationship was important enough to God that He put upholding it into the Ten Commandments. Taking God at His Word means honoring our spouse’s parents with this high standard, too.

Application: Write down your favorite part of your love story with your spouse, the story that ultimately led to you now having in-laws. Keep a copy on hand for the bad days.