A TIME FOR REJOICING

Adam and Eve brought deceit into their marriage and then compounded their rebellion by hiding from God’s presence. God never hides—only man does. God was vitally involved with that first marriage between the first man and woman and He is just as concerned about every Christian marriage today.

Few marriages can make it if both partners are hiding out from God. Show me a marriage without one partner that is close to Jesus, and I’ll show you a marriage with little chance of survival. At least one of the partners must be in daily consultation with the Lord. It is best when both husband and wife are talking to Him, but if one partner is running from God, it is all the more important that the other be able to run to a secret closet of prayer for help and direction. A praying wife can often save her marriage, as can a praying husband.

Love alone is not enough to keep a marriage strong—only God’s power can do that. That power is at work right now, healing and keeping marriages. Where Jesus rules, the marriage can make it.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy . . . be glory and majesty, dominion and power” (Jude 24-25).

We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10), so strong marriages should abound with joy. When a marriage loses its joy, it becomes weak and vulnerable.
Yes, every marriage will face challenges. There may be sickness, financial troubles, misunderstandings or pain, but life goes on. God is on the throne and He has everything under control. I thank God for a partner who loves me and I plan to enjoy every moment of my life and keep the joy flowing. There is a time for weeping but also a time for rejoicing. The good outweighs the bad so look up and live!