DEVOTION – DAY 335

Matthew 19:4-6 “God’s Plan For Marriage”

Matthew 19:4-6 “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 no one separate.”

In these verses, Jesus emphasized God’s plan for marriage. Marriage is to be between a man and a woman. They are united together before God emotionally, spiritually and physically – that is what is meant by the words, “the two will become one flesh.” The natural outcome from such a union would be the creation of a family. Jesus went on to state that once the couple was united together as one, no one should separate this union. This means that ending the marriage is not an option.

However, today, God’s plan for marriage is being questioned. There is increasing acceptance of same sex marriages. Marriage is becoming socially acceptable between a man and another man, or a woman with another woman. But this is not God’s plan because a same sex union can never lead to a natural creation of a family. There is also an increasing trend amongst young couples to live together and not get married. When this happens, the couples may be united emotionally and physically but not spiritually because God is missing in their union. Such relationships lack the moral anchor that strengthens their union. Thus, the couples often lack trust in each other and they are never sure if their relationship with each other will be enduring. Also, the rate of marital divorce is rising due to many reasons ranging from marital infidelity, abusive relationships, irreconcilable differences, couples drifting apart, destructive habits etc. God’s plan for marriage has been turned upside down. The result is brokenness, bitterness, and disunity. This is what happens when people choose not to follow God’s plan for marriage.

Wang Leehom is a famous American Chinese singer and actor based in Taiwan. He was married to a half Japanese, half Taiwanese beauty called Lee JingLei. They have three children. Wang Leehom is a Christian. However, he and his wife divorced in 2021. Their marriage did not end well because both parties are currently caught in a bitter custody battle for their children. There have also been allegations of marital infidelity forcing Wang Leehom to make a public apology and multiple denials of wrongdoing. This is just one example of what can happen when a couple who were united in marriage chose to break away from God’s plan for them. The result is broken relationships, damaged reputations and trauma for their children who are caught in a legal battle for their custody.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please forgive those who have strayed from your plan for marriage. We humbly pray for the strengthening of marriages for all couples and that they purpose to build up their marriages with you at the centre. We pray this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why must couples build up their marriages and not tear it apart? Discuss.
  2. Why do some couples choose to end their marriage rather than working together to save their marriages? Discuss.
  3. What are some actions couples can take to work at building up their marriages?
  4. Why is God’s plan for marriage superior than same sex relationships, or couples choosing to just live together out of wedlock? Discuss.