Pr Umar Mulinde says family conflict is not a recent phenomenon. He emphasizes that it has been with the human race since the fall, quoting Genesis 21:13 – 21.
He goes ahead to explain the events of 1 Samuel 1:2, where we meet Hannah who desperately desired a child but could not conceive. To make matters worse, her co-wife Peninnah taunted her concerning barrenness.
“It was a big problem for her that even when she went to the house of God to pray for the son, the priest thought that she was just drunk.” Pr Mulinde says.
The former Muslim saved by grace made these remarks on Monday following his visit to a British Pastor who invited him to speak about “God’s hand within struggling marriages.”
Urging that this is a topic seldom addressed by preachers, Pr Umar said in the Holy Bible, we find successful happy marriages/families and in the same Holy Bible, God doesn’t hide the difficulties or troubles of marriages/families.
“We should remember that Abraham is the father of our faith, but here we see him involved in a serious family mess. This was the family which God promised to bless and use to bless all nations. The family from which the savior would come, and yet a battle was raging! but still we see Gods grace runs through and we see God blessing Hagar and her son Ishmael.” He said.
He notes that Genesis 29:31 and 30:24 show a portrait of a family at war.
“Jacob wasn’t living in submission to the Lord at the time. His wives were so self centered. And yet God blessed Jacob with Children, forming the basis for the nation which numbered over 2 million in Moses days. Perhaps Moses included this story to humble the nation by showing them that Gods blessing on them was totally due to Gods faithfulness and grace not to anything in them or their forefathers.”
Pr Umar says all these are testimonies to the effect that God knows the failings of the human family and He still works even in all those difficulties.
“Therefore, if you are in such difficult situation, God has not judged you, His grace wants to help you and strengthen you to overcome and make this life meaningful.” He states.
cnakalungi@ugchristiannews.com
