He was prominent in the community. What woman wouldn’t feel fortunate to be his wife? She certainly had all the finer things in life. And the children … didn’t they have the best that money could buy? How could she think about destroying such a picture-perfect family or risk stepping into a future unknown? Where would she go? What could she do? How would she support herself? And even worse, if she began to expose the terrible truth, would she lose the children? She felt hopeless. Who would believe her? She had been so skillful at hiding her feelings, as well as the bruises. With swollen, tear-stained eyes, she reasoned … “It’s mostly my fault anyway!”

Even when reason seems skewed, the Psalms offer hope for the afflicted.

“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending … the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.” (Psalm 10:17-18)

While abusive acts are committed by both husbands and wives, in cases of domestic violence, approximately 95% of the victims are women. Although the reality of wife battering reveals a long history of being tolerated—tolerated traditionally and even legally—abusive behavior has always grieved the heart of God. Any violation of this most sacred relationship always produces pain, but God promises to be close to the victim who suffers at the hands of an abuser.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Domestic violence is not an issue of “marriage problems” or “irreconcilable differences” solved by “conflict resolution.” This kind of abuse…

• ~ Affects everyone in the family
• ~ Bridges all levels in society: racial, religious, geographic, and economic
• ~ Undermines the value of others
• ~ Seeks to dominate others
• ~ Escalates in intensity and frequency

What Are the Different Types of Abuse?

• ~ Verbal Abuse
• ~ Emotional Abuse
• ~ Physical Abuse/Violence
• ~ Sexual Abuse/Violence

God’s Heart for the Victim

• ~ God hears the cry of the battered and abused.
  “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” Psalm 10:17
• ~ God holds the victim of abuse in the palm of His hand.
  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
• ~ God will rescue the victim of abuse and violence.
  “He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.” Psalm 72:14

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