MARRIAGE IS ORDAINED OF GOD - FOR A LIFETIME

Have you ever wondered why June seems to be THE MONTH to get married? I also wondered about it, so I Googled it. The practice seems to have its origin in ancient Roman tradition. The Romans highly revered Juno, as the goddess of marriage, so June became THE MONTH to get married. A June wedding also had a practical side to it. The bride would most likely conceive and give birth early enough to regain her strength to be able to work in the harvest field the following season. That may be Roman, but hardly romantic.

In today’s western society romance is at the heart of getting married. Romantic thoughts and actions draw a man and woman together and play an important role in marriage throughout life. But romance alone is not a solid foundation. If a marriage is not built on a more lasting foundation, it can easily break apart. In the U.S., for some time now, one out of every two marriages (including Christians) ends in divorce. While there are all sorts of contributing factors, the basic cause is the failure on the part of one or both partners, to live by God’s principles and design for marriage. Neither one is ever totally blameless.

From a Biblical point of view marriage is ordained of God and is designed to last a lifetime. Jesus said: “Haven’t you read the Scriptures? They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”(a) In 1 Peter 3:1-7 we have clear instructions to wives and husbands as to their responsibility in the marriage relationship. None of us have lived up to God’s standard perfectly, but by His grace our marriage relationship has survived and even thrived.

There is always room for improvement. As husbands, are we giving the loving, self- sacrificing leadership which God’s Word requires?(b) As wives, are you working on that inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God?(c) This June may be a good time for us as partners to commit ourselves anew to fulfill our marriage responsibilities more faithfully.

But for some of you it is too late, your marriage has come apart. It has broken your heart and turned your world upside down. Even though your part in the breakup was very small, you may still feel guilt. Let me remind you, Jesus has made provision for that.(d) This June ’08 can be the month when that load is removed forever. His grace is sufficient for you. Trust Him!


Let’s Pray-
Father - thank you for making a man and a woman for each other. Thank you for the warm and rich relationship of marriage and family. We have not fully lived up to your standards. Please forgive us and help us to do better.
Amen


Footnotes:
(a) Matthew 19:4-6 NLT, (b) Ephesians 5:25 NIV, (c) 1 Peter 3:4 NIV, (d) 1 John 1:9 NIV,


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