When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken. – Deuteronomy 24:5

Marriage…the most sacred earthly bond that can be achieved. The most holy union between a single man and a single woman, a reflection of Christ’s love and relationship with his church and so so much more.

We have all heard the term “honeymoon phase.” It refers to the very early stages of a marriage where love, admiration, desire and closeness are abundant between a newlywed couple. Its a stage that is known to be strong and intense but also notoriously short.

But I am here to tell you today that that doesn’t have to be the case… nor was it meant to be.

I have heard it said in many sermons that love is not an emotion but rather it is a choice. It is a choice that must be made every day multiple times a day, not just with your spouse but with every one that you as a believer in christ come in contact with.

Our savior Jesus Christ chose to love a world that hated him, every moment of every day he chose to love those around him regardless of weather or not they loved him back. Marriage is the same in that the bride and groom are called to love each other regardless of what is going on either physically or spiritually. I am a newlywed myself as of a week ago and I have already been shown that my marriage is under constant testing and that love MUST be chosen.

If the traditional and biblically correct process of courting is done correctly, a husband and wife would not have had any time where they were truly alone together in the same space before the wedding.

This means that when they spend their first few weeks and months together, they will be learning much about each other and themselves that they did not know before. Chiefly how they get along living together in the same space continuously. They will see the more intimate parts of daily life with their new husband or wife. Do they snore? Do they chew loudly? Do they sing in the shower? All of their little habits, quirks and idiosyncrasies laid bare in front of each other.

Even after the newlyweds get used to each other though, even after their love for each other is strong and true, the tests of their bond to one another will continue. Nearly constant tests will be launched against them to strain and try to break their bond. These tests are designed to teach vital lessons to one or both of them. They are designed to instill in the two of them Christ like characteristics and behaviors that will help strengthen the bond between them but most of all their bond with God himself. With all of these tests, trials and tribulations, with the constant assault of both angelic and demonic interference over their marriage, the honeymoon phase will quickly end for the newlyweds. That is…unless….they are BOTH connected to the one true source of constant joy in the world….our almighty God.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11

YHWH, the almighty one true and living God is the source of all of our joy, that is not only reflected but stated in many ways throughout the Bible. A married couple who build their marriage and family on God’s firm foundation will be able to weather each and every hardship that comes their way. It has never been said by anyone in a marriage that is both healthy and godly that married life is easy. However, with this holding true, we can make it through anything with God both in the center of our lives and in control. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The married couple who allows Christ to teach, guide and strengthen them can weather any storm. The married couple who allows him to protect and provide for them will NEVER lack what it is that they need according to the will of our LORD.

The joy of the lord is everlasting, it comforts us in times of trouble and hardship, it lights our way out of darkness, it gives us strength when we are weak. It is all we need in times of uncertainty.

The joy of the lord can make a difficult situation bearable. these are just some of the reasons why a true connection with God is vital to not just married life but life in EVERY iteration or path that it takes. From the moment in which he begins to court us, to the moment we meet Jesus, our beloved groom in eternity, there isn’t a moment where he doesn’t have the deepest, purest and strongest form of love there is for us. This, the love that Christ has for his church is what earthly marriage is supposed to represent. A pure and godly undying love between a groom and his bride.

The world of today tells us different. The world of today trivializes marriage. The world of today perverts the union that marriage creates. It takes something sacred and holy and turns it into nothing but a demonic shadow of what it once was. Where there was love there is now lust. Where there was self sacrifice, there is now self service.. where there was compromise and understanding there is now unwavering selfishness and rigidity. The state of marriage in this fallen world is so tragic that one must wonder if it will ever be the same again.

I say no, it will not. It will be better. But it will take hard work and dedication to the word of God to his will and to his way to make it happen. It will take full trust in him and his design to bring back the respect of the sanctity of this sacred union.

The honeymoon phase is a wonderful thing, it’s warm, full of love, full of trust, full of dignity, full of happiness and joy. With God, the source of these things, the source of all things good and holy, it never has to end.

MB