I’ve learned from experience that whenever that ‘something’ becomes anyone or anything other than my Lord Jesus, I am left hurt, disappointed, discouraged, angry, scared, or sad.
So how does this concept apply to marriage? To whom or to what is your marriage anchored? When the storms come, who or what holds your marriage securely? I submit that what anchors a marriage in the storm, is the couple’s individual commitment to the Lord and to the vows they made to each other. Vow: “a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment.”³ The traditional marriage vow is: “I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”⁴ In Gary Smalley’s article “5 Traditional Marriage Vows: What They Mean and Why They’re Still Important”, he breaks down each section of these vows, connects them to Scripture and to the original Greek and Hebrew meanings. I highly recommend reading it. 1 Cor 7:28 says, “…those who marry will face many troubles in this life…” There are many benefits of marriage, yet troubles are part of the package. And your marriage vows cover them. With the Lord’s strength, your commitment, and good support, you are anchored in staying power. No matter the storm. And what releases you from your vow? The Lord Himself, through the death of your spouse. “Jesus said, “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”” (Matt 19:4-6) The Greek for the word ‘man’ here means ‘human being’. Let no person separate what the Lord has united as one. Only the Lord gets to choose the separation date, by means of death. “But what about…..?” you ask. There are many scenarios, aren’t there? Yet I’m asking you to consider: what is God’s best, based on His Word? No one need stay with an abuser or adulterer. There are ways to stand for your marriage vow, without continuing to live with your spouse. I submit the testimony of Carole Joy Seid, as she shares the story of her marriage in her podcast, “Following the Lord in Marriage.” She shares, “On a late February afternoon in 2020, my husband died. My granddaughter and I planted an apple tree in his memory, and that evening, I finally took my wedding ring off. It had been a long, hard journey.” Click here to listen to her full story. It will both challenge and encourage you. Remember a couple of blogs ago, when you learned that your marriage is an image of Christ and His Church? It is so much more than you and your spouse. And what is God’s best? Isn’t it the reconciliation and healing of your marriage? Wouldn’t that represent to the world the Lord’s unrelenting, pursuing love of our wayward hearts? Wouldn’t that bring the most blessing to you and your spouse? And give God the most glory? “Yes,” you may say, “but I’m already divorced.” Dear Woman, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1) Everything is covered under the blood of the Lord Jesus. We all need the covering of His blood. Every – single – one – of – us. The question that remains is – How will you move forward now? – in whatever situation you find yourself in. You are loved. You are forgiven in Christ. He knows your story. He has walked with you the whole way. With this perspective before you, how will you choose to live? It’s a question for all of us – for me and you. To whom or to what are you anchored? To whom or to what anchors your marriage? The woman anchored in Christ and committed in marriage, has staying power through any storm. Will you choose to be that woman?
1- Credit for the idea of anchoring our hope in God, His Word, and His plan goes to BSF Brainerd, MN Teaching Leader, Jillieta Norwood. From her lecture “The Theme of Prophecy”, September 19, 2024.
2- https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/anchor 3- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/vow 4- https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/5-traditional-marriage-vows-what-they-mean-and-why-theyre-still-important/ © Sanctuary of Home™ All Rights Reserved
All Scripture references, unless otherwise indicated, are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide
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