(i) (Psalms 1:1-3, 6)
If we are struggling with sexual sin, we should know that we are blessed, fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God when we do not walk in the counsel of the wicked – following their advice and example. Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit down to rest in the seat of scoffers and ridiculers. When our delight is in the Lord, and in His law, His precepts and teachings, we will habitually meditate day and night.
We will be like a tree firmly planted and fed by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; and in whatever we do, we will prosper and come to maturity. For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
We should disconnect from every relationship that drew and continues to draw us to sexual sin. God is faithful to bring and also lead us to godly relations that will encourage us towards righteousness. We should resist the environments that encourage unrighteousness in our life, and God’s promise to us is that the devil will flee from you as well.
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. James 4:7
(ii) Isaiah 55:8-13
If we are struggling with grief and disappointments of a failed marriage or deceased spouse, we should know that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways His ways. The Lord is assuring us that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. He is promising us that as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will His word be which goes out of His mouth. It will not return to Him void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it.
God promises that we will go out of our grief and disappointments with joy and be led forth by the Lord Himself with peace. The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before us, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush, the cypress tree will grow, and instead of the nettle the myrtle tree will grow. And it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign of His mercy which will not be cut off.
