Malachi 2:16(ESV)
For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,[a] says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers[b] his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.
One of the greatest tragedies of our days is the many marriages that end up in divorce. It is one of the major problems facing many homes today. From our anchored Scripture, God hates putting away, HE HATES DIVORCE! Therefore, what God hates, we should hate too. Divorce was not part of God’s plan for marriage from the beginning. His Perfect Will is the preservation of future generations and society through lasting marriages. In the book of Galatians 3:15, the Bible says, “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man’s covenant yet if it be entered into and is confirmed, it can no longer be disannulled or addeth thereto.” The moment we enter into a covenant, it can no longer be dissolved. Once we are married, there is no consideration for separation. The marriage vow is more delicate.
These days people no longer accept the fact that marriage vows remain valid until death separates the husband from the wife or vice versa. They give flimsy excuses for divorcing their spouses. Remember the vows we made at the Altar saying “for better and for worse.” Moses gave permission for divorce, not because it was so from the beginning but due to the people’s hardness of heart. Jesus insisted that in the sight of God, marriage is a lifetime relationship that should never be severed by human action. Matthew 19:4-6 says “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’[a]” 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.’[b] Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Many are going about trying their possible best to destroy marriages. They know very well the man or woman is married, yet still they don’t care and the fear of God is not in them, so they have an affair or arrange marriage. Let no man or woman split what God has put to together for you will not be innocent.
The experiences of couples who went through divorce are not encouraging. Many, after divorce wished they should have done things differently and make their marriages work. Some feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder to make their marriage work. Don’t fall into the trap that we will be free after divorce, the stress, grief and pain alone most people go through while in the process of divorce is not fun. The partners go through untold agonies, not to talk of the shattered lives of children, who go through turmoil and devastation. In the United States, the divorce rate for second marriages is estimated at between 60 and 67 percent. Third marriages fare considerably worse, with the divorce rate estimated between 73 and 74 percent. From this statistic it’s not guaranteed that divorcing your wife or husband to remarry another man or woman is the solution to the problems in your marriage right now. People may hold whatever views they want on divorce, but God, who is our Judge has already spoken His Mind in Scriptures. He affirms that His sheep hear His voice; so, seek His face for guidance He will answer you.
Beloved, before you get into marriage, understand that there are no alternatives and nowhere else to go. By entering into the covenant of marriage, you have burnt the bridge behind you. Make no provision for divorce. That is, do all you can within your power to avoid divorce because it engenders hatred in the family and even among the children. Remember, prevention is better than cure. My counsel, is identify your problems and solve them. What you don’t confront you never conquer. Be committed to deal with problems, not walk away from them. Embrace peace to settle your differences. Love yourselves unconditionally. Apostle Paul gives us a perfect definition of love and he says in 1 Corinthians 13 “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” With such a love, your marriage would last for life. Once you have agreed to walk together as married couple depend on God and you will have a successful marriage.
O Lord, I ask for the grace to have a successful marriage, let every thought of divorce return back to hell in Jesus’ Name.