“What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Mark 10:9).
Isn’t it ironic that we wouldn’t think about applying for a job without the proper education and training, yet we are so willing to jump into a lifelong marriage without any training at all? This lack of knowledge has caused many marriages to crumble under the pressures of common trials. The passage above has been recited at many marriage ceremonies, but has been forgotten throughout many marriages during rigorous times. We have taken God’s institution of marriage and “humanized” it, by not allowing His power to be the glue that holds these marriages together. When God said, “Let no man separate,” it was a command, not merely a suggestion. It is a command to never give up on what God has established within the hearts of those being married. God is love and love is what brought these two people together as one and “love never fails” (1 Cor 13:8).
God’s word reveals the entire truth when it comes to His institution of marriage. When He saw man in need of companionship He instituted marriage to bring these two hearts together and bring the strength of bonding love to the world (Genesis 2:18). When husband and wife work together there is a great strength and comfort provided to both through love. It is getting the two flesh to become one that is the work. God provided divine instructions to help accomplish what might otherwise seem impossible: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A good work is anything done to accomplish God’s will and His will is for marriage to last a lifetime. For the strength it takes to remain in a relationship throughout the trials and temptations we face we must realize our own inability and rely on God’s power (Philippians 4:13) to keep this love burning strong.
Today, we hope you make the decision to strengthen your marriage by leaning on God’s word to guide you throughout your walk together as man and wife. Give Him total authority in your relationship with your spouse. Base every decision you make in this relationship upon the power of His word and watch your relationship grow. Make sure that every step you take is done in accordance with the victorious path He has illuminated for you. God wants you to live happily ever after with the partner He has given you, but you can only find true happiness by looking to His Word, leaning on His Spirit and listening to His Son to guide your heart in the direction of His blissful peace.
–Cub Orcutt