Marriage is a sacred institution that was created by God.  It was God who saw the need for Adam to be complete (Genesis 2:18) – as there was no suitable companion. All the animals on planet earth were given pair – male and female, except human being (Adam). The male animals communicated with the female animals. But Adam had no one to communicate with.

So, God took the initiative to create a woman – a suitable companion for Adam. In fact, the First Wedding Ceremony on earth was performed by the Chief Pastor, God the Almighty One.

Marriage is meant to last till death. It is not a try and see thing. It is not about experimenting. It is not about exploiting someone’s sexuality. It is not entering into someone’s sexual territory and after getting what you wanted then leave. It is not about you felt like it.   It is about committing yourself to your partner. It is about sharing the unconditional love with your partner. It is about demonstrating care for the other.

This sacred institution was and is ordained by God. God is the initiator, the foundation, and the cornerstone. His intention concerning marriage is that married couples will remain united until death do them part. At the end of the marriage ceremony, Ministers declared this: “Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.” This statement supports the fact that God wants married couples to enjoy their married life until death.

The situation in our present world seems different. People get married and after a week they are divorced. Some get divorced. Some get divorced because of petty things. I have realized that right after the wedding ceremony, most married couples even forget about the vow they made before God and their fellow humans. Couples should always keep at the back of their heads this: “I take you to be my wedded (wife/husband) 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, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.”

Do you know that when you make such a vow you are simply saying that you are to stay in till death? When you enter into marriage, you must stay there. Nothing should separate you from your spouse. Marriage is for people who are committed to one another and no matter what they are prepared to stay in. Marriage is not for boys and girls. Play boys and play girls are not material for Marriage.

You see, God did not promise married couples that it would be easy.  What God promises is that He will be there with married couples. He gives them the grace to overcome marital problems. Marriage may have mountains to climb, valleys to descend, slippery paths to walk on but God will always be there to guide the steps of the married partners.

Marriage is a long journey. On this journey,   all kinds of things will be experienced. It is possible that in-laws will become outlaws, misunderstanding between the married couples will be there; financial crises will be experienced; a hard time to make difficult adjustments; a problem of infidelity will be there, just to name a few. Whatever couples experience in their marital journey on planet earth, they should not take matters in their own hands. Let them take it to the Lord in prayer.

Don’t quit your marital home. God has a purpose for you marrying that man or woman. Just hang in there and you will find see the wonders of the Lord. If you are thinking about leaving, I want you to give your partner another chance.  When you get in, stay in will mean that you need to make some adjustments in your relationship.

This is something you need to know. There are three persons that make the marriage to work and to be successful. They are the husband, the wife and God. God in this relationship is the supreme partner who has the power to change your partner to the better. To keep you going in your marriage, don’t forget about Marriage Trinity (God, the Husband and the wife).

By: Rev. Julius Y. Z.K. Williams
        Associate Pastor
        FUMC-Monrovia