- Introduction:
MARRIAGE IS GOD’S IDEA
God’s design of marital union extends from ‘cradle to grave’, from its start to finish and blessed with peaceful and happy family all the way to its end. Marriage then is God’s idea for the good of man:
GOD said, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.” Gen. 2: 18 MSG, and in Mal. 2: 15a, the Bible says, GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Godly offspring.
Unfortunately, some marriages, just like journeys in life do not enjoy this divine arrangement: some marriages had accidents and are fatally shattered; some are wounded and angry, and some are bruised but still crawling. But happily too, many more though shaken and tossed are still pulling strong, and many, not without historical jerks, are joyfully making the glorious destination.
Today’s message is to inspire everyone be strengthened to enjoy what the Almighty had purposed for marriages and families. The secret is knowing what God’s design is, and what it takes to have it. I bless God you are here!
- What are God’s Design for Marriage and the Family
God never made anything without a purpose. Marriage as said in Malachi is God’s idea. If any marriage fails to meet the set standard, it is not functioning well, it is not a blessed marriage.
- Marriage was set by God as a remedy for sin of immorality.
It’s good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. I Cor. 7: 2 MSG.
Premarital or extramarital sex therefore pollutes this blessedness
- God designed marriage for COMPANIONSHIP AND Oneness between a man and a woman, to share the moments in oneness. Many marriages unfortunately are made of two individuals, though married are not married!
And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” Eph. 5: 31. The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame. True? Openness, true about your relationship with your spouse?
- The eternal purpose is that through marriages, there would be Godly offspring (born or adopted), as the Bible says, wild or natural, it is the budding to the stock that counts. Are you raising children for the kingdom or populating hell?
Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
- PRODUCTIVITY: 2 IS BETTER THANONE… ECCL 4:9. Learn before you earn. Ichabod and jabez, ideas. Enemies: complacency, fear and ignorance.
- Challenges in the Path to Blessed Destiny in Marriage
Obviously, everyone would like to enjoy the blessedness in marriage as designed by God, but there are few obstacles. Let us, considering time, examine three of such challenges, three dangerous fires!
(i) Infidelity: call it adultery or fornication, it is one wild fire that devour the blessedness in marriage
Can you build a fire in your lap and not burn your pants?
Can you walk barefoot on hot coals and not get blisters?
It’s the same when you have sex with your neighbour’s wife: Touch her and you’ll pay for it. No excuses. Prov. 6: 27 – 29
(ii) Indiscipline: it is a gentle fire that destroys the destiny in the child of marriage. In the drive to save the children we provide comfort instead of correction, to reap conflicts instead of consolation.
Point your kids in the right direction– when they’re old they won’t be lost. Prov. 22: 6
(iii) Anger: this wild fire, for whatever reason, has fully consumed destinies. Just as it denied Moses a life-time sojourn in the Promised Land, some homes are robbed of the peace and progress God designed for them. Are you still angry? Can you forgive?
- What You Must Do
If we would not falter in the path to God’s design of blessed destiny in our marriages, each one has roles, independent roles to play:
(i) If you have honestly experienced or experiencing hurt, can you forgive? Wives, forgive your husband; children, forgive your parent(s), and forget the past. Are the men angry? Please, forgive.
(ii) Develop winsome intimacy: do many things together, especially, TALK! And all of you together, find time to talk together to God habitually – the family that prays together…
(iii) Love yourselves till death. To love is to care; show her you care; show how much you care for your children, and help each other to be the best God expects.
- Conclusion
The Almighty God has a designed destiny for your marriage and family, but Satan never wish you there. Whom shall your support? Tell Him to help you make your destiny.
Prayer Ministration:
- Deliverance from bitterness against your spouse
- Unhappy wives
- Difficult and angry children
- New relationship, in line with God’s design
- Power over lust of the flesh, and extra-marital affairs (mild or major)
- Do you need Christ in your heart?
Write a comment: