H. Norman Wright - Quiet Times for Couples

H. NORMAN WRIGHT

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Verses marked AMP are taken from The Amplified Bible, Old Testament, Copyright 1965 and 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation, and from The Amplified New Testament, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Used by permission.

Verses marked RSVB are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Verses marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible, 1971 owned by assignment by Illinois Regional Bank N.A. (as trustee). Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Verses marked PHILLIPS are taken from J.B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition. J.B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Company.

Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota

Cover photo Bananastock / Alamy

QUIET TIMES FOR COUPLES
Copyright 1990 by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Published 2008 by Harvest House Publishers
ISBN 978-0-7369-2421-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wright, H. Norman.

Quiet times for couples: a daily devotional / H. Norman Wright.

ISBN 0-89081-816-9

1. Married peoplePrayer-books and devotionsEnglish. 2. Devotional calendars. I. Title.

BV4596.M3W75 1990 90-35981

242.dc20 CIP

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 / DP-SK / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

T wenty years have come and gone since this book was just an idea in my mind. Im amazed and delighted at whats taken place. Over a half a million couples have used this resource to enhance the spiritual intimacy in their marriage! And with the various translations available in other countries, who knows how many others have been guided by this book. And now I pray that even more marriages will be strengthened and enriched.

I almost didnt write Quiet Times for Couples. I was scheduled to begin the project in March of 1990. But before I could start, my 22-year-old retarded son, Matthew, was released from his limited human condition and went into the presence of Jesus Christ. A few days after the memorial service I called Harvest House Publishers and told them I wasnt sure I was emotionally prepared to start writing the book. I wondered whether it would be better to postpone the project. They were very supportive and left the decision up to me.

As I thought about it, I realized that the involvement with the Word of God required for writing this book was just what I needed during my time of grieving. Three days later I called Harvest House to say I would begin working immediately. It was a wise decision. Gods Word brings comfort, support, insight, and clarity to the meaning of life and its events. In the process of creating a book that I trusted would help others, I was ministered to. My experience reinforced the importance of reading and meditating on Gods Word during traumatic transitions as well as in everyday life.

My wife, Joyce, and I read this book aloud to one another after it was published. Thats one of the many cherished memories from our almost 50 years together. I wish I could read these selections aloud to her again and hear her quiet voice read to me, but that will have to be in a different time and place, for she too is now in the presence of our Lord. Im so thankful for every moment we shared reading Gods Word and praying.

When Joyce and I began reading aloud to each other we discovered a dynamic that is often missing when a book is read silently. We found that we remembered the selection longer, and the truths we shared together penetrated our lives more deeply. Maybe it was more significant because we were simultaneously aware of what was being read. Maybe it was because whoever read felt responsible for communicating the selection clearly to the listener. Perhaps the dynamic was simply the result of a new expression of two becoming one. Whatever the reason, the result was tremendous. We drew closer to each other and to God. So I encourage you to try it! When you read aloud to each other, youll progress spiritually at a similar rate. Hearing the same information also assists in having deeper discussions on spiritual issues.

The questions contained in some of the meditations will guide you in applying Gods Word to your life and your marriage. I hope that as a result of your daily discussions, your marriage will reflect a new expression of the presence of Jesus Christ and the reality of Gods Word. Thats why this book was written.

Norm Wright

Gentleness is an attitude of thoughtfulness and servanthood. It means being willing to see Gods pattern for marriage as the healthiest way to develop personal security and to reflect the presence of Jesus Christ in your marriage.

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

S tillness.

Quiet.

Silence.

Do you ever hear the sounds of silence? They are there. In their own way they speak loudly. Quietness for some is a way of life. Quietness for others is uncomfortable. It can be a time to reflect, a time to create, a time to recover, a time to grieve, a time to rejoice, or a time to listen to God.

Quiet time for a married couple can create a deep bond of love and closeness. It is a time to share the deepest kind of intimacy possible in our humanity: spiritual intimacy.

No one said that it would be easy or comfortable to be quiet together. Barriers to this time will have to be confronted. Time schedules will have to be juggled. Outside interruptions and intrusions will need to be blocked so they dont control you.

Reflect for a moment. Dont share your answer with your spouse immediately, but sit and think about each question.

What are the times of quiet you value most?

What do you think about when you are quiet?

What feelings do you experience when you are quiet?

How does God speak to you when you are quiet?

The psalmist tells us to be quiet for a very specific reason. When we fill our lives with activities and busyness, its easy to forget our Creator. There are times in the midst of the most hectic day when we need to close the door, unplug the phone, sit down in a chair, lean back, and close our eyes. The busiest day of your life is the best day to do it; it is the time you need it the most. Take time each day to come together as a couple expecting God to speak to you. Even 60-90 seconds of silence as you sit together can be a time for God to speak to you. Share with each other what He is doing in your life. And share together your answers to the four questions you considered above.