A Godly Marriage

(Prov 19:14 NLT) Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. In the last verse Solomon reminded us that those things that promise us the greatest comfort are also capable of causing us the greatest grief. No man/woman (in the right mind) wants to live with a nagging partner.

Later in Proverbs Solomon tells us that it is actually better to live alone on the roof of your house, than to live inside the house with a nagging wife (husband) (21:9). While a nagging partner is a tremendous pain, an understanding wife (or spouse) is a continual source of comfort, strength, and support. The pleasure of a thriving marriage cannot be overstated. Marriage, when done right, is awesome and amazing. This is something that is not talked about much today. We live in a time when people change a spouse like they change watches, but just because the trends have changed it do not mean that God's standard has been lowered.

Let's agree that the pattern is right, even though the material may be flawed. In other words, let's agree that God's Word is still true, even though people may not always adhere to it. Our God still wants to be involved in marriages.

Our creator (Elohim) created the world is six days. At the end of every daily account the Bible says that God saw what He did and said, "It was good." At the end of the sixth day the Bible says: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." To this point (in Genesis) the only descriptive words God had used were "good" and "very good."

However, in the second chapter of Genesis God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him" (2:18). Adam had purpose (to work the garden), power (to name animals), provision (all he could eat), and parameters (he knew what tree he could not eat from), but he did not have partnership and God said it was NOT GOOD! While he had an excellent UPWARD relationship with God (God walked with him in the cool of the day), Adam did not have an OUTWARD relationship with another human. God rectified the situation by giving Adam a wife and the two became one flesh. It's still not good for man to be alone and it is God's will that men and women connect with Him and each other in holy matrimony. A Godly marriage is a relationship between husband and God, husband and wife; and wife and God, wife and husband. This is NOT a relationship with just two entities, but rather with three: God, husband and wife... a triple-strand-cord that is not easily broken (Ecc 4:12).

This takes us back to our scripture for this morning. While a father can (and should) leave an earthly inheritance for his children, houses and earthly wealth are nothing to be compared to the joy one can experience in a healthy, loving, caring, and thriving marriage. While many earthly parents would love to, they cannot leave thriving marriages as an inheritance. They can, however, do their part in preparing their child to be an active and Godly member in the marriage. And it will take His involvement because, at the end of the day, for a marriage to be what God intended He must be part of it. Therefore, only God can give an understanding wife (or spouse). Only God Himself can work IN a marriage in ways that earthly parents simply cannot.

So what does this mean to you? It means you must look to Your Heavenly Father for involvement and assistance in your marriage. He can help in ways your earthly parents never could and He wants to. If God is not the center and circumference of your marriage, then you must get Him involved TODAY!

Father, I see my marriage as a three-sided relationship between You, me and my husband. I thank You for giving me an understanding and loving spouse. My spouse loves me and we both love You. Since You are involved in our marriage You bless it and cause it to prosper. You are the center and circumference, the base and the boundary, the balance and the beauty of our marriage. You are involved in every aspect and you cause our marriage to be an example of Your goodness in the earth. In the Jesus' name, Amen!