God’s plan for marriages

We live in challenging times as much of the media is filled with negative reports of what the enemy is doing and seeking to do through our governments and elsewhere. In our desire to fight back these evils we must ensure that we do not lose heart or grow weary “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 [NASB]

Whilst marriage may be anything but easy, trouble free, it is worthy to invest in and treasured as a great gift from God. Marriage, between man and woman designed by God and for His purpose and glory. How many husbands can affirm the words of Solomon as he wrote in Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 18:22 and Proverbs 31:10. Regrettably not too many hold marriage or treasure their wife with such regard. Marriage once held in high regard is often treated with scorn and sarcasm.

Great numbers of marriages in this nation and around the world are breaking up with divorce being made easier. It is often seen as the quick fix, an easier way out when there are difficulties and the early love that brought the man and the woman together fades, so often it seems when there are young children around. There are the times when divorce could be the right course for example in abusive (physical or verbal) or adulterous relationships.

God knows too well the feelings of being cheated on, betrayed by an unfaithful bride. Whilst Malachi 2:14-15 shows God’s dislike of divorce it also clearly shows the love God has for those who’ve been betrayed, hurt, or abused by an unloving or unfaithful spouse.

Many are waiting longer and longer to get married, often late into their 20’s and early 30’s, and to start a family these days, if at all. Yes, financial reasons may come into play, for some occasionally, regrettably, fear comes into play as they have lived through the divorce of parents. For some there is the focus on self, on careers and they go down the route of co-habitation and thus fornication which has become an acceptable lifestyle by many, even in the church.

Singleness is not the problem. The question arising is how many see marriage as a treasure even worth pursuing.

The opposition continues to seek to wreck marriage from every aspect – how it is seen from the outside and from the way it is treated by some who are married. Marriage failures affect, families, churches, communities, and workplaces for the worse.

The worldly view of marriage fails to treat it as important as God, the designer and creator of marriage, treats it! To Him it is sacred, glorious, and needing to be rescued and preserved, for it should be showing the world Christ’s relationship to the church (Ephesians 5) and indeed there is the coming marriage feast (Revelation 19:7-9) for Christ and His bride the church.

In the first days of May this year Shawn Bolz¹ shared, through his podcasts and Charisma magazine, a prophetic word he believes he received for marriages!

“God is going to use traditional marriage as a sign and wonder!  God wants to strengthen marriages and use them as a powerful tool to address some significant cultural and community problems.”

Shawn also said “From the very beginning, God had a fantastic plan for marriage. The kind of plan that would make even the best rom-coms look like child's play. He created marriage as a completely unique and special bond between a man and a woman, with a purpose and blessing that no other relationship can fully experience.” We only need to look at Genesis 1:27-28 to see this – ““God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said, ‘be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth’”.

God has good plans for us all whether single or married. His plans for those who are married, no matter whether going through a stormy period or celebrating a great marriage are greater plans.

Within the church it is God’s love in Christ that we should display to all: “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35). Jesus emphasizes the fact that the world will know we’re His disciples by our love for each other. Our daily lives demonstrating what Christ’s love is like. This maybe a challenge for all of us at times, but what if the marriages within the church radiated this love in their community and influenced the lives and marriage of some neighbours, friends, work colleagues around. Would they also want our Jesus?

Within scripture there are several marriages that God has used powerfully. Here are three of them.

Starting right at the beginning we should look at Adam and Eve, God gave Eve to Adam from whom all humanity had its beginning. Adam and Eve had their faults (including the big one, at that), but they did have their merits too. Theirs was a perfect marriage for a time, where they enjoyed perfect unity - with each other and with God. Even though they took the wrong “path” they raised two faithful sons, one being in the direct lineage of Jesus.

Then the marriage of Abraham & Sarah. Their relationship had many ups and downs, they were far from perfect, but ultimately their union fulfilled a crucial role in God’s plan – to bring about God’s promise to Abraham making him the father of many nations. The family, throughout the generations, being used by God to unfold His plan on earth. With Abraham and Sarah God’s plan was not just about them but about the generations ahead of them.

Coming forward to the New Testament there are Aquilla and Priscilla. We know from Paul’s letter to the Romans that he called them “fellow workers in Christ” [16:3],  and they were also  tent makers as was Paul. Whilst Priscilla is one of several female disciples named in the New Testament, Aquilla and Priscilla are the only named married couple. Their work together in ministry for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom is a great example for us all.

We can all learn from these marriages and others in scripture as to what can be achieved when we place God in His rightful place – at the centre - in our lives and particularly in our marriage & family. From there to seeking after, and continuing to seek after, the unique calling that God has for each of us and to embrace it. Always seeking after the direction that he has planned for us.

We believe that God will use marriages in Australia as Shawn Bolz spoke out … “God is going to use traditional marriage as a sign and wonder!  God wants to strengthen marriages and use them as a powerful tool to address some significant cultural and community problems if ready and equipped” We need to continue to build and strengthen marriages, with Christ at their centre, in the church so that they are equipped, empowered and ready to embrace their unique calling, fulfilling God’s plan.

¹Shawn Bolz is a TV and podcast host, an author, producer and a Christian minister. He has been leading conversations in the church, entertainment industry and in social justice that have helped believers connect their faith to culture in a transformative way. Shawn’s deeply connected yet humorous style of speaking, media hosting & coaching through his unique expert perspective has brought him around the world to meet with churches, CEO’s, entertainers and world leaders.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

(Genesis 1:27-31 [NASB])