Keeping the Commitment - Martin Wiles

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. Hebrews 13:4 NLT

“If it wouldn’t ruin his ministry, I’d think about leaving him,” she said. 

But she never did. In fact, she stayed with him for over 50 years and until he took his final breath. I watched my mom endure moving from place to place, continually having to put her sons in different schools, repeatedly having to change employment, adapting to new surroundings and churches, and putting up with everything that goes along with bring a preacher’s wife. 

Mom wasn’t the only one in my family I saw exhibit marital commitment though. My paternal grandparents were married 60 plus years and were even placed in the same nursing home in the end. My grandmother held my grandfather’s hand as he took his final breath. My maternal grandparents hung in there together until the end as well. My grandmother waited on my grandfather hand and foot after strokes continued to take away his abilities.  

Unfortunately, in American society immorality—rather than love and stick-to-it-iveness, seems to be the norm. Living together before marriage is common and socially accepted by most. What better way to determine if we’re compatible with each other, the philosophy goes. Quickie divorces are also common. If we can’t work our disagreements out with very little fanfare, it’s over. Must have married the wrong person. Didn’t bargain for this.  

Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly. God performed the first one in the Garden of Eden thousands of years ago, and he designed theirs to be an example. 

I certainly don’t have a perfect marriage, but I intend to stick by my spouse until she or I breathe our last—regardless of what comes before that time. I’m faithful to her, and I expect the same in return. I don’t plan to be one of those persons whom God will have to judge for an immoral lifestyle. God gave me a wonderful treasure, and I plan to treasure her. 

Does your view of marriage align with God’s?

Prayer: Father, guide us to faithfulness in our marital relationships knowing they are pictures of Your relationship to us, the church.

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