If you have ever stood in the midst of the storm of life while winds howled and your face was being pelted with rain as you tenaciously clung onto the reassurance that God would not abandon you there, then you know the strength which comes from being able to rely upon a covenant. Throughout history, God's people have been empowered in their darkest hours because they knew that their Lord had made a binding promise to be with them. And God always keeps his promises.
In the same way, our marriages should be reinforced through the security which comes from commitment. When a couple marries, they are promising each other and God that they will remain married until death. Not only does scripture describe marriage as being a covenant we make to our spouses and which God expects us to keep (Malachi 2:14; Proverbs 2:17), but God himself is described as joining a husband and wife together in matrimony. Matthew 19:6
If that grand old wonderful feeling of love was an adequate foundation for marriage, our society would not be in its current turmoil and marriages everywhere would be flourishing. But sadly, many marriage relationships have contributed to the growing ranks of the divorced walking wounded. Marriage deserves and demands a foundation much stronger than feelings in order to survive and thrive in this world of routines and demands.
God's intention for marriage requires us to approach this precious relationship with the commitment of a marital covenant. Accordingly, the security of commitment which comes from taking a vow that we will remain with our spouses until death should reinforce our resolve to solve together the problems of the storm. To this relationship superglue, God would have us add the characteristics of mutual respect and seeking the other's wellbeing. 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:28, 33.
There is not a lot we can count on in life. So, it is wonderful if we can count on our spouses and upon our God to be with us even through the difficult times. May you experience the joy and security of commitment.
Barry Newton © 2001
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Love Changes How Someone May Interpret Another Person
The Downward Spiral - Interpreting Your Spouse