Have you ever wondered how relationships collapse? I mean, how is a once-loving, caring, thriving relationship torn apart resulting in a grief of separation that simply cannot be put into words?

Henry VIII of England was once deeply devoted to Catherine of Aragon, his first wife. But driven by lust for Anne Boleyn, an obsession with having a male heir, and prideful defiance of spiritual counsel, he sought to annul their marriage. When the Pope refused, Henry severed ties not only with Rome but tragically with Catherine, the woman who’d faithfully stood by him for over twenty years.

She was exiled, dying heartbroken, having never seen her daughter Mary again. Henry’s sin, lust, pride and wilful rebellion tore apart his most important relationship. And though he married five more times, none would match the loyalty and love of Catherine.

A lot of people don’t like that word “sin”. But it packs a serious punch so I use it deliberately here because sin is always – always! – the root cause of broken relationships. And not just human relationships.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Look, the LORD’s power is enough to save you. He can hear you when you ask him for help. It is your sins that separate you from your God. He turns away from you when he sees them.

Here’s the truth. Sin fractures your relationship with God. But when you turn back to Him and ask for His forgiveness, with faith in Jesus who died to pay the price of your sin – listen to this please – the LORD’s power is enough to save you.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.