Lasting Marriage and Friendship in Christ
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 5:18-20 (NKJV) Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven.”
God has never intended for us to face life’s challenges alone. Instead, He has placed us among the community of believers in a church to love and to be loved. He has also given us the Holy Spirit who is our helper, comforter, and counsellor who prompts us to help others.
Though we might not have friends who are paralysed, we might have friends who are down, bumped out, experiencing the blues, and struggling with hopelessness. Unfortunately, not everyone has the heart or know-how to befriend someone who is in those situations, especially in this digital age where we seem to have lost the art of communication. Therefore, we should slow down and show love toward people around us—family members, colleagues, and church members—in words and actions.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
This passage addresses loneliness, facing challenges alone, and how to overcome them. It applies to those who are feeling down and oppressed. It says woe is the one who is alone when he falls. Besides marriage relationships, it also relates to friendships and Christian communities. If a marriage relationship is built on the wrong foundation of individualism and is seen as a contract rather than a covenant, it will not survive a crisis. Communication breakdown is the cause of many rocky marriages and an explanation of why many feel depressed.
In contrast, a covenant-based marriage will enable the couple to strengthen and uplift each other by standing in faith. That’s what God does when we are in trouble. Nothing will break us if we look at the threefold cord as the couple, the community, and God.
The journey of faith can be very challenging if we walk alone. Therefore, we must not isolate ourselves when facing issues, but share with our spouses to battle the situation together in faith. We must also have a group of people to journey with us and spur us on when storms come, like the four friends of the paralytic.
Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign
