God at the Center of Marriage

Scripture: The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Matthew 19:3

Observation: The Pharisees are always asking Jesus trick questions, and here it is about the sensitive matter of divorce. This has always been problematic. God was opposed to divorce, but Moses' law permitted it. There are issues and nuances in the various conversations, but it seems to come down to this one thing ... if two people marry, and both are obedient to the Lord, there will be no divorce, however if one of them is disobedient to the Lord then the other has a way to remove themselves from marriage.

At the heart of this is what it means to be unified, and that unity is in God. A right relationship involves three people - the couple, and God. A person who then leaves God within the context of that relationship has actually left the relationship.

Application: I am not a great husband. I try to be a good husband, but I know there are gaps in how I treat my wife and family. I can be distant, quick to anger, sullen and moody, and inattentive. I know there are times my wife and I don't really "mesh" when it comes to daily activities and interests. I probably can't even say I make up for it by being a great provider anymore, not that that was ever the requirement of being a husband.

Jesus teaches me that, to be a good husband, I must be obedient to the Lord. If I do this, other matters will resolve themselves. I also know that my marriage is a blessing from God - he created our relationship for us - and that can and should always look for the Lord in my wife, and strive to show her the love of God through me.

We have friends struggling with this. I don't know what to say to them. I trust in their love of God, and therefore trust that God will reconcile their hearts and minds.

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for our friends. They are both hurting in their hearts and in their souls. May your love emerge in a way that not only reconciles their arguments, but restores their hearts and minds in a way that strengthens their bonds and love. I pray they find you today, Lord, in the center of their marriage. Amen.