Daily Encouragement Net

  “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

                                                                                                          

Monday, May 9, 2005

 

"Honoring Marriage"

 

"Marriage should be honored by all" (Hebrews 13:4a).

 

Yesterday was a very special for Moms throughout America as we celebrated Mother's Day.  It was also special for Brooksyne and me as we celebrated out 29th anniversary.  Twenty-nine years ago on May 8, 1976 we tied the knot in sacred matrimony.  We are very thankful for a loving, lasting marriage.  Our local paper has an interesting feature in acknowledging 50 year anniversaries and longer.  They will show a photo of the couple now and one from when they got married.  When I look at those photos I think of the daily verse.  Indeed marriage should be honored by all.

 

Hebrews is written to believers under intense persecution to encourage them to remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  But in the thirteenth chapter the writer provides some very specific teaching that seems to aim right at the heart of our generation, with a statement esteeming marriage and warning against immorality and materialism (see Hebrews 13:4,5).

 

Established in the very beginning at Creation, God has ordained the marriage of man and woman as the fundamental human relationship.  The apostle Paul uses marriage to illustrate Christ and His church.  This image is used even in Revelation. 

 

Yet marriage is under terrific attack today by the one whose intent is to steal, kill and destroy.  The downward progression has gone from broken marriages (divorce), to ignoring marriage (immorality), to redefining what marriage foundationally constitutes (the current attempts by the homosexual movement).  The last is unique to our age.  Surely when God's fundamental human institution is so greatly violated judgment will soon come.

 

Today let us all honor marriage.  I find the statement "by all" interesting.  You're married, perhaps happily, perhaps not, but choose to honor yours and other marriages today.  You're single and long for a mate or perhaps you're single and God has given you the gift of celibacy; honor marriage.  You're widowed and the deep, deep grief still lingers; honor marriage.  You're divorced and the pain and disappointment still stings; honor marriage.

 

Today in what way can you honor marriage?

 

 

Be encouraged today,

 

 

Stephen C. Weber

 

Note from Brooksyne: In my family of four siblings there are five divorces.  My parents separated several times but would eventually work things out.  The odds were against my having a long-lasting marriage but I'm so thankful for the positive role models I saw in the churches I attended growing up.  I certainly observed the Bible college professors and their wives who were very visible in their love and commitment to one another.  I have been blessed with a stable and thriving marriage which I have never taken for granted and for which I give thanks to God. 

 

****************************************

 

Sign up for free daily email encouragement email at www.dailyencouragement.net

 

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

 

Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”

 

© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

 

"Living today anchored in God’s solid foundation"