What a mighty God we serve! So often the world seems to be in utter chaos but “I fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4b AMP) You are a mighty God and my trust is placed fully in You!

Mark 10:1-12 (<<click to read the passage)

In my last 17 years of ministry, I have officiated at fourteen wedding ceremonies. I have married family, friends, church members and total strangers! One thing that was a part of pretty much every service was the phrase taken from today’s passage. I use it after pronouncing the couple husband and wife, “Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.” The New Living Translation puts it, “let no one split apart what God has joined together.” v9

Does everyone abide by this? In a perfect world, yes. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Our world is replete with sin. I would venture to say that 100% of the marriages I was a part of involved people who had every intention of sticking to their affirmation to follow that proclamation. But even individuals who have a relationship with Jesus can be hurt and broken.

We are all on different parts of the path as we journey to fulfill God’s will in our lives. And sometimes, because of our brokenness and pain, we wander off the path and instead of walking together, we begin walking apart. There are times where we can come together once more but often there is so much distance between us that for the most part, it becomes an impossibility.

Is it ideal? No…but sometimes separation is inevitable. We work and work to salvage that in which we have so greatly invested. We try and try but our mate refuses to reconcile…we can’t make them. Or the relationship has become so abusive – so much one person’s taking and taking and taking – until the other just has nothing left to give. And of course, abuse comes in many forms – physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, etc., etc. For our safety or the safety of our children, the marriage must end.

Ideally? Marriage should adhere to our vow,

“…to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part…”

But in the humanity of it all sometimes we just can’t hold it together, no matter how much we try…

Lord Jesus, may I remember to pray for those who have fought the good fight for their marriage and in spite of their best efforts, they have suffered loss. May I remember to pray for those who are still fighting to keep themselves from being “put asunder”. May we love, Lord, as You love. When we have to move on, may we do so in Your grace. May we have Your strength and courage and wisdom, as well. It is painful and it hurts…but You will most certainly see us through. Amen.

May 30th, 2019, Thurs, 7:33 pm