When the number of years married has surpassed the number of years being single, grace becomes truly apparent. Come Saturday 3rd of December, Stella and I would be celebrating 32 years of marriage.
As a follower of Jesus, we submit to the authority of Scripture.1 Much material is written about the purpose of marriage and the roles of husband and wife. Scripture mentions much about faithfulness, intimacy in marriage, communication, and money—the top 4 causes for a failed marriage.
In the beginning God created . . . . Each day that God created he saw his creation and declared it is good (in fact, 6 times).2 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” What is strange is that unlike all other days, God remained mum about the idea of creating man. Instead God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”3 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.4 Thus, God defined who we are and what we are to do. He molded our identity and described our mission statement. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.5
Yes, if we align ourselves according to God’s purpose and plans then there is peace (Shalom6), harmony, and prosperity.7 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.8 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.9 Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.10 But to the disobedient there will be chaos, curses, confusion, frustration, sickness, oppression, afflictions, and more.11
By God’s grace and mercy we are given the faith to trust God. Thus, we yoke equally.12 We abide by God’s precepts.13 This is not blind faith but an informed and realistic faith.14 We acknowledged that when we married we would have worldly troubles.15 But with confidence Stella and I know that God’s grace is sufficient.16 Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.17 We know that those who honor God, he will honor.18 So with fear and trembling, like Joshua, we decided early in our marriage that as for our house, we shall serve the LORD.19
It helps that we understand our call. The general call is that we are chosen and called20 to be Christians. Meaning we follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior,21 fish for men,22 and have fellowship with believers.23 The specific calling is to be a husband and wife, to be a parent, (in the future to be a grand- parent), and to be found excellent in whatever we find ourselves doing. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.24
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”25
Notes:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25
3. Genesis 2:18
4. Genesis 1:26-27
5. Genesis 1:31
6. Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalom#:~:text=Shalom%20(Hebrew%3A%20%D7%A9%D6%B8%D7%81%D7%9C% D7%95%D6%B9%D7%9D%20%C5%A1%C4%81l%C5%8Dm%3B,mean%20both%20hello%20and%20goodbye.
7. Deuteronomy 28:1-14
8. John 14:1
9. John 14:23
10. John 14:27
11. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
12. Deuteronomy 28:15-68
13. John 15:7-8
14. Hebrews 11:1-3
15. 1 Corinthians 7:28
16. 2 Corinthians 12:9
17. Hebrews 13:8
18, 1 Samuel 2:30
19. Joshua 24:15
20. Ephesians 1:3-14
21. Romans 10:8-13
22. Matthew 4:18-22
23. Hebrews 10:19-25
24. Colossians 2:23
25. 1 Kings 18:21
