‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:33(NLT)
‘Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”’ Matthew 19:3-9(NLT)
‘“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”’ Matthew 18:19-20(NLT)
‘I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ‘ 1 Timothy 2:1-2(NLT)
‘For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ‘ Galatians 5:13(NLT)
Devotional Content:
The challenges for married millennials are many. Not only do you live in a culture that does not put a high value on marriage, but only 26 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 are married. In comparison, 48 percent of baby boomers at that stage of life were married.* In addition, many of you came from broken homes, so you never saw healthy, thriving marriages. But don’t let all those statistics get you down. Remember what Jesus told us in John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (CSB). Jesus never promised us an easy life. What He did promise is that He would always be there for us. He will always have the answers we seek. Our role is to shut out the shouts of the world so we can listen to Him. How do we stay married? Here are three points that will help you go the distance:
- Commitment. At one point you stood together at an altar before God and promised to stay married forever. It was a deal between the two of you and God. He will always do His part. You just have to do yours. One of the things that saddens me the most when I hear of a young couple divorcing is that they will never know the joy that comes through persevering through hardship together. Nancy and I were married at 20. There were so many times in those early years that we could have walked away from our marriage, but we didn’t. Staying committed and persevering with God at our side is what built the marriage we have today.
- Pray together every day for each other and for your marriage. I don’t care if you pray silently or out loud or if you are kneeling, standing, or lying down. Just pray. I promise you that God will show up.
- Each day see each other as a gift from God. Cherish your gift. Never take each other for granted. Serve each other as Jesus has served you.
Final thoughts: Never give up. Get help if you need it. Fight together for your marriage!
* “Millennials in Adulthood: Detached from Institutions, Networked with Friends,” Pew Research Center, March 7, 2014, [http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood/]
Today’s Challenge:
Recommit to each other and to your marriage. Promise to fight together no matter what life brings your way.
Going Deeper:
Begin to pray each day for each other and for your marriage. Keep it simple. Then ask God to help you see your spouse through His eyes every day. Thank Him for the gift He has given you.
from Challenges Of A Millennial Marriage