Today’s reading: Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians 2
My niece got married last summer. She is the first of the generation of “kids” in our family to get married. I’ll be honest, it made me feel really old! But…it was a gorgeous summer afternoon in central Illinois, two young adults in love with each other, surrounded by their family and friends…a perfect setting for a wedding.
As the pastor (the bride’s Grandfather and my Dad) led the Bride and Groom through the wedding ceremony, he challenged them with a couple key messages from God’s word.
- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). A strong marriage requires that each spouse voluntarily place their partner’s needs ahead of their own. Selfishness is a sure fire way to quickly destroy the union God created to last a lifetime.
- A strong marriage must be based on a relationship with God. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). Spouses won’t always agree on every little thing, but if they agree on the most important thing, the path is much easier and has a much greater chance of success. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
After almost 30 years of marriage, I know these words to be true.