When this blog started, there was a survey that stated "Do you believe that marriage is a lifetime commitment?" It was a unanimous 'yes' from all that responded. So, if so many people believe that marriage should be a once only, forever bond between a man and woman, then how are so many marriages ending in divorce? In the last post, we listed a few things in a marriage that couples MUST be unified in their marriages about or potentially suffer detrimental consequences. In this post, we want to examine how when we enter the bond of marriage that both partners must agree that marriage is a lifetime commitment.
Do you know the difference between a contract and a covenant? Both are serious commitments entered into by multiple parties, and both are enforceable by law. But in the Bible, God chose to enter into a covenant with His people, signifying that a covenant was sacred and nothing to be taken lightly. Breaking a covenant with God doesn't result in a fine and a few negative consequences like breaking a contract. There is no negotiating and no loopholes. It is God's way and His way only!
We should be viewing marriage in the same light. It is sacred for God himself created this covenant relationship between man and woman that was intended to be a lifetime commitment. In Genesis 2, God decided it wasn't good for man to be alone and he created woman. This one man and one woman was the first marriage. God's intentions for marriage are then reiterated in the New Testament by the apostle Matthew.
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Matthew 19:4-6
If you aren't married yet, I suggest that you take time to sit down with your future spouse and have an open and honest conversation on your intentions for marriage. Don't hold back. If one or both of you doubt that you can do what it takes to make a marriage last, then you have some maturing to do. If you want to honor God and His commandments, then you have to be at this point before you take this very monumental step. If you aren't, you are already setting your marriage up for rocky times that may otherwise be avoided. Pray together and ask that God help you both achieve the same mind.
If you are married and you or your spouse have questioned whether or not your marriage can last, don't forget the covenant you made before God. Don't forget your wedding vows that you would care for each other through the ups and downs, sickness and health, better or worse! The "worse" always wants to send people packing! In truth, this is when we should be taking time to draw closer as a couple and to God, even if that seems like the last thing you want to do! King David, in a time of oppression in his life, chose to thank God and praise Him for His consistency in delivering him out of his troubles. He reminds us in Psalm 9:9-10 "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
As a reminder, God has given us only one reason that we can chose to end our marriages. Matthew 19:8-9 says "Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (NIV)
The disciples questioned on why they should even bother getting married then and Jesus answered"...Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it." (Matthew 19:11-12, The Message)
God created marriage that it be enjoyed! He didn't want man to be lonely (Genesis 2:18). God finds favor in marriage as noted in Psalm 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD."
Just remember when you encounter various trials and temptations in your marriage that "...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) And also that you should "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3)
Marriages are going to go through hard times. But if we aim as a couple to keep the covenant that we made with God and with each other, we can increase the presence of godly marriages in this country and decrease a dangerously rising statistic! Resolve or renew today your covenant with your husband or wife to make your marriage last a lifetime as God intended in His grand plan.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to have the mindset in marriage that it is a lifetime commitment that we have made to one another in your presence. This covenant is not one to be taken lightly, but with the same seriousness that you regard the importance of marriage. Help us to set good examples to others and to our children of what good, godly marriages should look like.
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