Daily Devotionals

Bride and Gloom Week 2: Thursday

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together." Matthew 19:6

I have to confess I am easily forgetful. I have to write things down so that I will remember. I have to be intentional when it comes to my schedule and my plans. If I’m not, I overcommit my time and find that at the end of the day, I missed opportunities to serve other people around me because I did not have a plan for using my time wisely. In the same way, when it comes to our relationships, we have to be intentional. We have to be intentional about investing in our relationships and serving those around us in a way that honors God, whether they are our spouses, family members, friends, or acquaintances.

Scripture teaches that if we want to have thriving relationships, we must invest and be committed to them. In Matthew 19, a group of religious leaders went up to Jesus and asked if a man should “be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason” (verse 3). Jesus responded by saying, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” (verse 4). He then quoted Genesis 2:24, explaining that a husband and his wife become one when they make their marriage vows (verses 4-5). Next, He added, “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” (verse 19:6). In other words, Jesus explained in these verses that marriage is a commitment. Because marriage is a commitment, those of us who are married must invest in it daily. We have to make daily decisions about how to make our marriages stronger and healthier than ever.

When you think about marriage, do you treat it as a commitment you have made and make every day to your spouse? Even more, do you treat marriage as a commitment you get to make rather than a commitment you must make? My friends, when we start viewing our marriages as commitments we get to make and invest in them, the entire trajectory of our marriages will change, and God will be honored through our marriages.

Moving toward action

Think of one way to invest in one of your closest relationships. If you are married, let this person be your spouse. Maybe you can set aside time every week to check in and ask how they are doing. Maybe you can sign up for a small group together with your spouse if you are married. Maybe you can serve together. Whatever you decide, make a plan to intentionally invest in your relationships today.

Going Deeper

Matthew 19:1-12 (NLT)

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.

3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

4 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'" 5 And he said, "'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."

7 "Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?" they asked.

8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery-unless his wife has been unfaithful."

10 Jesus' disciples then said to him, "If this is the case, it is better not to marry!"

11 "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps. 12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."