The Ultimate Failure

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

When I was in high school I began to think a great deal about marriage and divorce. This was mainly because I came from a divorced home. Although I was not a Christ follower then, I began to develop some strong convictions against divorce. I vowed to never get divorced. I would have considered divorce as the ultimate failure.

What I have learned since then is the biblical reasons against divorce. Why do I bring up divorce along with Heb 13:4? I just have always thought that the main cause of divorce is infidelity.

God created the institution of marriage. It is honourable. It is a remedy to a lifestyle of fornication that will be judged by God. Staying unmarried when God has brought a spouse to you is indeed very dangerous. Many temptations may confront you in this world. Our culture continues to decay in sexual immorality.

I so desire to keep my marriage undefiled. I covenanted to forsake all others and with God's help that is what I'll do.

Doug

Who doesn't love this?

It is Not Good

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Gen 2:18

It is interesting that in Gen 1, as we learn about how God created that 5 times God says, "it was good(v. 10,12,18,21,25)." But here in Gen 2:18 we see that it was not good that man was alone. Notice too that he doesn't say Adam specifically but rather men. This wouldn't be a problem just for Adam.

God in himself had fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Man needed an help meet for companionship and help with tasks God had ordained, dominion over all creation. Let's never forget being fruitful and multiplying either.

I can see in my own marriage God's brilliant design. Our differences compliment each other. When she leaves the home for any duration... well things are not the same. Likewise when I'm away things are not quite right.

I am so thankful for God's plan. I am more thankful for the help meet He has given me.

Are you?

Doug

Oneness

...and they shall be one flesh. Gen 2:24

Beyond the leaving and cleaving a special bond is formed in marriage. The idea is one flesh. The two can no longer be seen as separate but as one. There is a physical oneness, which this husband and all other husbands I know are very happy about. Also there exists an emotional oneness which is vital to a healthy marriage. Growing towards a onenness that rejoices when the other rejoices and likewise mourns together. And most importantly, there is a spiritual oneness.

This is how God created in the garden. Adam and Eve walked with God and Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed. When sin and death came from the fall, the oneness between God and man and between Adam and Eve was severed. God's desire is to be reconciled to us and for us to be reconciled to one another. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one just as he was one with the Father.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:22

If this is true for all believers to be one, then so much more for husband and wife.

Dear Lord, help Dej aand I to grow in your grace. Thank you for making us one and help us to be one in Jesus name, amen.

Closeness

...and shall cleave unto his wife... Gen 2:24

Not only have a husband and a wife started a new family, but their relationship is characterized by closeness. Cleaving is the word used here. It is to be clingy or sticky. When you choose a spouse, a young man or woman should be certain that their choice is good. God's intent is that their new relationship would have a special closeness unlike any other relationship. A mother and her newborn is another close bond which comes to mind, but even that doesn't elevate to the same level.

Deja, I'm thankful for you. You are the one person I most like to be around. Your friendship is the best thing in the world. Who you are, what interests you, what you think and why, how you feel, and what you do are really important. When our children were younger and all went to bed early, we would talk uninterrupted sometimes for hours at the end of each day. We could catch up on what happened and what our kids said and did and what we hoped for tomorrrow. Now we have found new ways and times to talk... but I miss that.

Deja, I will always try to share my best thoughts and the deepest things with you. To do otherwise would be to cleave to someone else. I think Rev. Joe Greive said, "forsaking all others." AMEN!

Doug

30 DAYS CELEBRATING MARRIAGE

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother... Gen 2:24

My beloved Deja,

From the very beginning, God's plan was to start new families in this manner. Since the man is the head of his wife(Eph 5:23), when a man leaves his parents' home and takes a wife there is a new family with autonomy from the previous families.

I remember very well on April 23, 1994, my grandfather Rev. Joe Greive's words. His voice thundered," What God has joined together let no man put asunder." On that day almost 17 years ago we started our very own family. Doug Armstrong married Deja Quale. I thank God he brought us together. His ways are higher and better than mine. He knew the perfect girl for me when he brought me to you. Thank you Jesus for this precious gift, may I delight in her always. Amen.

Doug