Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, June 9, 2017

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This is devotional thought number five in our, “Purpose of Marriage” series.

Whether married or not, there is much for all of us to learn here, since marriage is a symbol of our relationship with God.

“The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39).

I must admit, there are some laws I appreciate more than others. The one that says, “What God has joined, let no man (or woman) separate” is one of my all-time favorites!

I absolutely love marriage, not because I have seen the most incredible examples of it. I love it, not because someone painted a wonderful portrait of it that gives me butterflies in my stomach. I love my wife. I love what God has created between us. I enjoy having a companion who loves Him and embraces the principle of unity. I enjoy us being an encouragement to those who’ve given up on the marriage ideal. I appreciate the growth being married requires (I did say, “requires”). Being selfish and married is painful. I loathe unnecessary pain, so I strive against my natural selfish tendencies for the sake of our bond, and to minimize the pain.

Sometimes my wife talks about not being able to handle the thought of me dying. She says she cannot imagine being with anyone else. That’s a good thing, right? More than it being logical and a good thing, it’s according to God’s law and order. My feelings are mutual. When two people choose to be wed in holy matrimony, God instills a singleness of mind in each willing spouse. We are not supposed to be able to imagine ourselves with anyone else. His Word, and the law of the land enjoins monogamy. When two people get married, it’s supposed to be for the long haul. We aren’t supposed to be on the lookout for an escape hatch. We are not supposed to be feeling around for a cord that quickly ejects us from a martial jet that’s losing altitude fast.

Having been a human being for almost 45 years and married for almost 16 years, I do understand that life and marriage present their challenges. I really do get it. But I also get that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength. I get that He is the ultimate covenant keeper, who wants to strengthen the bonds of peace in our homes. I get that He is able to preserve that which we have committed to Him until the Second Coming of Christ.

I’ve never been too keen on self-preservation in this life (almost to a fault), but being married has given me a more responsible mindset. I want to be alive as long as my Simone lives, so we can keep building under the lawful order of matrimony. I figure, if God was kind enough to provide the blessing of marriage, along with the tools to overcome my inadequacies, why should I want it to end? I don’t!—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)