Daily Reading: Hebrews 13
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13.4)
Devotional Thought: Marriage is a high and holy relationship. As Christians, we can read that statement and come down hard on those who would redefine marriage. But, as Christ warned, we must first look to our own sins before we dare cast stones at the sins of others.
Outside our covenant relationship with God through the sacrifice of Christ, marriage is the most significant relationship that we can enter into. Strong marriages are the foundation of strong families. Strong families are necessary for strong communities. And, strong communities are the ingredients of strong nations. That is why the current debate about what defines marriage is so important. By changing the definition of marriage to include the union of two men or two women we are placing our future on an untried and unsure foundation. It is not the foundation that the Bible teaches.
The author says that “marriage should be honored by all.” How do we honor marriage? We honor marriage by keeping the marriage bed pure! Adultery, pre-marital sex, homosexual relationships, and pornography dishonor marriage by profaning the marriage bed. But, there are other things that dishonor the marriage bed. Sex without love and respect, impure and lustful thoughts toward others, using sex as a “weapon,” sexual union without spiritual union, going to bed with unresolved anger or an unforgiving spirit, and many other things also bring impurity to the marriage bed.
As the marriage ceremony reminds us: “marriage is an honorable estate.” Pray that it would be honored in the American culture, but also work hard to make it honorable in your own life.
Prayer: Father, your word says that in the beginning you made us male and female and that you have joined the marriage partners together in holy union. Help us - in our words, our actions, and our spirits to honor what God has joined together. Amen.
Psalm of the Day - Psalm 55:16-23
16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.
20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.
21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.
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