Weekly Devotional
Don’t Visit The Valley Of Ono As You Stand For Marriage Restoration
Don’t Visit The Valley Of Ono As You Stand For Marriage Restoration “Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, ‘Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.’ But they intended to do me harm.” - Nehemiah 6:2 (ESV) During this stand for restoration, you are going to have many opportunities to respond to your spouse in a way that does not represent Christ and how He is calling you to stand. You’ll encounter moments that are calling you to descend into a deep valley, a valley of retaliation, despair and actions that don’t align with your faith. We see a perfect picture of this valley and the enemy’s attempt to draw us down into it in the story of Nehemiah. He was in the middle of his very own restoration project. In Nehemiah 6:2, the enemies of Nehemiah invite him to come down to the Valley of Ono. This is a place where the enemy wants to lead you as well. I can promise you this: If you go down to the valley of “Ono,” you will quickly say, “Oh No!” Nehemiah’s story is a clear example of the specific tactics the enemy uses when anyone is working toward restoration. Just as Nehemiah faced opposition when restoring the wall of Jerusalem, you will encounter opposition in the restoration of your marriage. The enemy’s strategy is still active and is, in fact, the same today. He will attempt to lure you down into a valley where pain, destruction and regret are waiting. This is where you act according to his terms, not God’s. One potential temptation that is a characteristic of the Valley of Ono is how you may want to respond in ways that mirror what your spouse is doing, to react in the same manner and attitude as your spouse in their worst moments. Now, I know you realize that this does not reflect the character of our Heavenly Father. You almost always instantly regret responding in that way but boy, is it tempting to do so! Yes, your spouse may act in ways that are mean and hurtful but the enemy’s goal is to provoke you into responding similarly. This is the devil’s playbook, enticing both you and your spouse to engage in negativity, unloving behavior and retaliation, to pull you down to the Valley of Ono. So, how about committing today as you stand for your marriage? Never again be led down to the Valley of Ono. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into a battle on the enemy’s terms, reacting in ways that don’t reflect the love, grace and wisdom of God. I recently heard a story that goes perfectly with this concept. A pilot was flying a plane and suddenly discovered a rat in the cockpit, gnawing on essential wires. He knew that if he didn’t act swiftly, this tiny creature would cause a catastrophic crash. Landing the plane in time wasn’t an option. So what did he do? He ascended! He took the plane higher and higher into the sky because he knew the rat couldn’t survive at that altitude. The pilot just put on his oxygen mask while the rat choked to death because of the thin air. Similarly, in your stand for marriage restoration, when the enemy attempts to drag you down to his level with negative influences and behaviors, you must choose to ascend in multiple ways. Go higher into the Heavenly realm. Why? Just like the rat in the plane, the enemy can’t breathe up there! But you, supernatural stander, breathe in the presence of God and get oxygen directly from your Savior. As you stand for your marriage, never forget that you have constant access to the oxygen of The Holy Spirit. The devil thrives in the dark valley, but you win when you ascend in the Heavenlies. When you find yourself tempted to engage in destructive behaviors, remember to rise above them. Refuse to descend into the valley of the enemy. Stay strong, resisting the allure of negativity, anger and retaliation. If by chance you’ve recently visited the valley of Ono and responded in ways that don’t align with God’s character, don’t partner with shame. Just repent, seek forgiveness and promptly return to the path of restoration for your marriage. God’s grace is sufficient to cover any missteps. Don’t let the enemy’s tactics keep you down. Keep your eyes fixed on the One who restores. As you ascend in faith, you’ll find strength and clarity to navigate this journey, knowing that victory awaits you in the higher realms of God where the Valley of Ono has no authority!
