Till Death Do Us Part
No, God doesn’t want marriages broken, for “I hate divorce” He says,
And then He likens divorce to violence, as betrayal it displays.
And therefore, when two people get married, married they should always stay,
For such is what God intended be, and His will, Christians should obey.
Divorce just threatens the godly seed that God intended multiply,
And its impact within society is devastatingly high.
God doesn’t go leaving loopholes for any Christian to wriggle through,
And therefore, “Let no one separate,” is a warning to each spouse too.
Paul affirms what God has laid down, saying spouses shouldn't separate,
He knowing too, that divorce is something that more trouble will create.
And Paul also makes it clear that this instruction is straight from the Lord,
And not just from his own lips, and that therefore, it shouldn’t be ignored.
Continuing on, Paul states that if a parting does in fact take place,
That both of them should remain unmarried, or reconcile, by God’s grace.
Paul knew that certain circumstances such a parting might necessitate,
But that it is quite alright to divorce, Paul nowhere such chose to state.
And nor did Moses condone divorce — but rather, regulated it;
For divorce already existed — thus, its harm Moses sought to limit.
You see, women were oft being divorced over the most trivial thing,
And hence why some sort of protection and fairness Moses sought to bring.
So what about the exception clause found in Matthew five, thirty two?
Well, substantial evidence declares that the prevalent view isn’t true,
And that an incestuous marriage may be what our Saviour meant here;
Not adultery, that most traditionally believe and declare.
Marriage is a covenant that God only intended that death end,
Yes, a solemn sacred covenant that every Christian should defend,
For such is a promise, a commitment, witnessed by our Lord above,
Who thus instituted marriage to reflect His faithfulness and love.
Though ancient Israel was unfaithful all throughout its privileged reign,
God still took His people back even though they had caused Him grief and pain.
He wooed His adulterous people with untiring dedication,
Until they finally and totally spurned Him, and His revelation.
And If ever we're unfaithful to our loving God who reigns above,
And are sorry, He will forgive, take us back, embrace us with His love,
For the Lord is our example, and He wants Christians to act the same,
When someone that they love very dearly is unfaithful, (causing shame).
Those solemn vows once commonly heard at a church when two folk were wed,
Every married couple should uphold, and at weddings should still be said,
For such vows represent a commitment that is neither marred nor flawed
By any legal clause or loophole over which a lawyer has poured.
Tell me, is your marriage in tatters, and has your spouse caused you deep pain?
Has the love that you first felt for them either gone or begun to wane?
Does it seem that your world has collapsed, and that it is falling apart?
Do you feel that all hope has gone, are you nursing a badly broken heart?
Well, nothing is impossible for the God who the universe rules,
For He is a healer and restorer who has all the skills and tools.
So just take your burden to Him — yes, all your heartache and your despair,
For though things may appear hopeless, there is always hope where there is prayer.
By Lance Landall
Recommended reading: Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.
Theme: The love she most desires; The respect he desperately needs. Based on Ephesians 5:33.