Mark 10:7-9 (NKJV)

7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined

to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so, then they are no

longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together,

let not man separate.”

Marriage used to be a huge deal. When two people were joined together

in marriage it was forever. Through the bad times, horrible times, sick

times, “I want to “mush” your face” times, and the good times too. It is

much too easy today to walk away when things are not going perfect or

when it gets extremely hard. Those are the times when we need God to

remind us of the bond that we have with each other and the reasons we

chose to get married in the first place.

Last week I talked about two being better than one. God designed us to

have a mate and someone to support us, love us, protect us and grow

old with us. There are so many elements to love and covenant. I believe

it is all the characteristics of God that we are developing within

ourselves.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics help us to keep a

good marriage if we are always mindful of them and growing in them

daily. Fruit starts off as a seed, but it grows to maturity with time and

the care taken to grow it.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their

labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity

anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down

together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”

God saw the condition of man and saw that it wouldn’t be good for

man to be alone. There is always a completeness that happens when

God brings the right person for marriage into your life. So many are

picking their own mates and find that they are not happy. It ends with

frustration and disappointment. We must learn to consult God in

everything and especially in life-long decisions. It will ease the pain of

many future, unnecessary struggles. You will have struggles with your

“Man or woman sent from Heaven”, but with God at the center of your

life and marriage, you will get through them better than before and

stronger.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV)

12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand

him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I have found that many married couples try to work things out on their

own and often do a horrible job of fixing things. Usually, after banging

your heads against a wall for way too long, you run for help.

Unfortunately, many run to secular counselors to have them help them

with their problems. However, the answer is always God.

Mark 10:9

“Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Unfortunately, many couples do not consult God on their problems or

even when they decide to get married. The key is to let God “join” you

together.

If you haven’t gotten married yet, good! Wait!!! and let God bring that

right person into your life. Ask Him and believe Him for the right

person. If you are married, great! Let God be the center of your

marriage. There is nothing sweeter than knowing God is there through

everything and that He will answer your questions and your concerns.

Couples that pray together, truly stay together. They get their wisdom

from God and not themselves.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

The beautiful part of the marriage covenant is that God will be with you

always and will lead you and guide you through every trial and every

challenge. Bind Him as the middle of that three-fold cord and make

Him a total part of your marriage covenant. It is a binding agreement

made in love to last forever. Trust God with all your heart and not

yourselves! And your marriage will last forever!

Next week we will be talking about:

The Importance of Covenant – “The Covenant of

Friendship”