Tragically this scene is repeated over and over. Why is it that two people who are “MADE FOR EACH OTHER” so often end up looking for the escape hatch labeled (divorce)! Maybe a better question is: what does it take to keep a marriage from becoming a casualty? If marriage were just another human institution like a corporation or a university then getting out of it would be no more significant or painful than changing jobs or switching schools. Indeed many people have tried to treat marriage that way as something to enjoy when its good or helpful and to terminate when it isn’t. But those have experienced a divorce will explain that a failed marriage is infinitely more painful. There is more to marriage than the human dimension.

Marriage was God’s holy and sacred idea, he performed “the first wedding” in the Garden of Eden, thus setting up guidelines for tall people to follow: marriage is for one man and one woman for life. There are valid reasons for sometimes breaking this pattern (example death or adultery). But the intended pattern is One Man One Woman for life. Unfortunately in a fallen world it often is difficult to submit to God’s standards especially since his standards do not change.

Marriage is a covenant between a husband and wife. A covenant is an agreement between two people that as benefits for keeping the agreement and penalties for breaking it. Our relationship to God is described in covenant language throughout scripture. Just as our relationship with God is built on his steadfast unchanging love and commitment toward us so a marriage relationship is designed to be solid faithful and committed.

Marriage is based on commitment not emotions. The Emotional Rush two people experience when they “fall in love” and when they decide to marry is wonderful, it also is a terribly inadequate basis for marriage. That “rush” as powerful and enjoyable as it may be! If that’s what the relationship is based on – physical attraction, romantic ideas, passion … the flame may burn brightly but it will not burn for long.

Romance, sexual attraction and passion are tremendous God-given elements of a love relationship, but do not mistake them for the foundation of a lifelong commitment.

To survive the pressure and temptations that attack a marriage both husband and wife have to be totally committed to making it work, even when the romance is gone (as it sometimes will be in any marriage), when the money is tight or the urge to run out is overwhelming they must stand strong on the commitment they have made, instead of allowing the stressed to dived them they must cling that much more tightly together “what god has joined together let no one and not thing separate”

Marriage when seen from god’s perspective can be one of his greatest gifts to his people, it can also as millions of others have unfortunately discovered be a source of deepest pain.

So whether or not to marry …. and what happens if you do marry .. is up to you!!