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

The other day I visited a man in a local assisted living facility as part of our chaplaincy work. I have talked with Charles and his wife Catherine on numerous occasions and Charles and I share the unusual distinction of flying in a P51; he as a pilot during World War 2 and me behind the pilot (my cousin's husband) when I was in high school.

Charles and Catherine recently celebrated their sixtieth anniversary and had a nice article written up about them in the local paper along with their wedding photo and a current photo.  Here's a photo taken at the Christmas party this last December.

As we visited I noticed Charles just didn't seem himself and it was unusual to see him by himself in his room. He proceeded to tell me that Catherine had just been moved to another facility for more skilled care. He was really missing her and concerned for her well-being. They are a vibrant couple and real blessing to visit. Their love for each other is so evident. I prayed with Charles and told him we would drop by and see his wife which we plan to do today. They truly have a marriage worthy of honor.

Well, today is a special day for us also.  Thirty-three years ago on May 8, 1976, during the summer break after our junior year in Bible College, we tied the knot in a sacred ceremony in the little Indian town of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.  We are very thankful for a loving, lasting marriage. We shared our anniversary meal last night at Red Lobster since we are busy through much of today.

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 and practical teaching that seems to aim right at the heart of our own generation, with a statement esteeming marriage and warning against immorality and materialism (see Hebrews 13:4,5).

Originating at the very beginning at Creation, God established the marriage of a man and woman as the most fundamental human relationship.  Christ powerfully affirmed the institution of marriage when He said, "Haven't you read, that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4,5). The apostle Paul affirmed the value of marriage in several of his writings.

Yet marriage is under terrific attack today by the evil one whose intent is to steal, kill, destroy, and distort all that is sacred.  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, in fact in just the last ten years.  Surely when God's fundamental human institution is so greatly violated judgment will soon follow.  We already see evidence of this as lifestyles and perversions, unimaginable to us at one time, are becoming more and more commonplace. One can only wonder, what's next?

Today we call upon genuine followers of Christ to honor marriage.  I find the statement "by all" interesting.  I believe it's an inclusive statement regarding each one of us, no matter our age or experience, we should respect the sacred institution of marriage.  If you're married; perhaps happily, perhaps not, choose to honor yours and other marriages today.  If you're single and long for a mate or perhaps you're single and God has given you the gift of celibacy; honor marriage.  If you're widowed and the deep, deep grief still lingers, honor marriage.  If you're divorced and the pain and disappointment still stings, honor marriage.

Today, let us all esteem and honor the sacred institution of marriage as mandated by God!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for Jesus who is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother or a sister, who never leaves us nor forsakes us.  We also thank You for the companionship of a marriage partner who walks alongside us during the ups, downs, and winding pathways of our journey below.  Help us to be vigilant in preserving our sacred vows and honoring the institution of marriage. We want to be united as two blending together as one as we live in harmony with You.  Amen.

Brooksyne's Note:  Anytime we visit this subject of marriage I am ALWAYS sensitive to those who have had broken marriages, often due to matters beyond their control.  We hear from our listeners frequently regarding this subject.  I am also sensitive to this subject due to my family background where my siblings had multiple divorces and my parents had a great deal of marital strife over the years.  It greatly affected my outlook at a young age and I had made up my mind at that time that I would not marry and experience the same grief.  But I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to attend Bible College and observe godly marriages through our professors and leaders at the time.  I also came to understand that we either learn from the mistakes of others or we repeat those same mistakes.  Thank God that I chose to learn from the mistakes and also chose to build a marriage based on God's Word.  Our marriage is not perfect, but it is a good, loving foundation from which I continue to grow and find joyful union with a godly mate. I give thanks to God for my husband of 33 years and his devoted love and care toward me.

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