Malachi 2:13-16 “And this is the second thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. ‘For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,” says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
Marriage is an institution initiated and authored by God and one that He has much to say about in scripture. In today’s devotional there are some insights given that are noteworthy. Before we look at those, let me apologize to the body of Christ for the lousy example certain Christian leaders of our day have set in regards to marriage. I am not one to slam anyone else, lest I be judged. However, something needs to be said about the overall attitude toward something God regards as holy. To make excuses for a breakup of a high profile ministry couple does not make it right. We have great teachers, preachers, and healers who have wonderful giftings. But don’t follow their views nor their example when it comes to the marriage covenant. God still hates divorce and let’s look deeper as to why… There are four effects of divorce that need to be looked at carefully before ending a marriage:
YOUR GIVING – God says that your offering will not be regarded. Even though you cover the altar with tears, weeping, and crying it will avail nothing.
YOUR COVENANT – Marriage is not just an arrangement, a convenience, or a way to combine two budgets, it’s a covenant. This is the deepest agreement between two parties in scripture and God takes it very seriously.
YOUR CHILDREN – God prizes the ability of two godly people to produce godly offspring. The children need to be taken into consideration. God is concerned about His relationship to the children. Remember, our kids are learning about God through our example and our leadership.
YOUR SPIRIT – Twice in this passage God says, “Take heed to your spirit.” Another version translates that phrase as, “Guard your spirit.” Something happens to us internally when a covenant is violated. There is personal devastation and internal damage. We may not see it immediately but its effects will linger for years. I have seen it over and over again.
Let me end today’s devotional with two additional comments. Thank God for mercy and forgiveness. God will forgive divorce. But that does not take anything away from the consequences that will be experienced. Secondly, it takes two. There have been some great Christian people who are casualties of a partner who does not regard the sanctity of marriage. My heart goes out to them. I have been blessed with a marriage to the most wonderful marriage partner who is a Proverbs 31 woman (read it in today’s devotional), a very godly woman, and a wonderful mother and spiritual leader. She is the love of my life and she makes it so very easy to love marriage. May your covenant be blessed of the Lord and as you enter a new year may God refresh your marriage and cause it to be a reflection of Heaven on Earth.