ICS Daily Devotions
Marriage Is a Covenant
Understanding a Biblical covenant will help us understand a marriage covenant. A Biblical blood covenant between two parties was the closest, most enduring, solemn and sacred of all contracts. It absolutely could not be broken, and promised to give the other party your life, love and protection forever…till death do you part. It was a binding and unbreakable agreement based on blood resulting in an absolute union of two parties in which all assets, talents, debts and liabilities were mutually shared.
God’s covenant is everlasting, and He will never go back on His word of the covenant. He expects the same of us as His children.
Genesis 17:19 …I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant
The marriage covenant reflects God’s covenant with us, which many have forgotten or compromised.
Time and again, the Scriptures describe marriage as a covenant.
Malachi 2:14-15 Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows]. And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.
A Christian marriage is a covenant, not a contract. It is a sacred covenant witnessed and guaranteed by God Himself. It is unconditional, unlimited and unending. It is about trust more than terms, character more than convenience, giving more than receiving. It reflects the very character of God.
Understanding the meaning of covenant will help us understand the importance of being ONE and this will really strengthen our marriage. We are ONE at all times. Therefore, it is very important that we are not unequally yoked with an unbeliever who doesn’t understand or have the same values or beliefs in a marriage covenant.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
When you are bound by covenant, you refuse to walk away during the most difficult situations and trying moments of your lives or marriage. A covenant is the only secure foundation upon which a happy, fulfilling and permanent marriage can be built. We will be able to experience how God is able to unite two lives into “one flesh”.
Jesus Christ should be our reference for love. The greatest gift you can give your spouse is to be a genuine Christian who reflects Christ in your relationship. God, through Jesus has cut a covenant with you. The Holy Spirit in you can energise and equip you to keep the covenant with your spouse.
Sermon Series: Marriage covenant
