Years ago, I sat counselling with a man who had had a bad time in marriage. In fact, his wife had left him at the time. As we spoke, his eyes welled up with tears. He managed to mumble these words; “God warned me about going into this marriage. But I did not listen.” He knew God was not the author of the marriage.
Friend, let God be the author of your marriage (Hebrews 12:2). Most times, people try to force or blackmail God into committing to what He did not start. What they fail to realise is that God cannot sustain what He did not ordain. He cannot be the Omega if He’s not the Alpha (Revelation 1:8). Getting God’s approval about your relationship and marriage is crucial.
Some people are in willful disobedience to God about their marital life (Job 36:11-12). Like the man in our opening story, some people ignore divine warnings and signals. Some also confuse or equate divine silence for divine consent. Not many people can beat their chest to say that God led them into their relationship or marriage (2 Timothy 1:12).
You may get away with ignoring God’s input in your marital journey, but not for long. A time will come that life and situations would force you to revisit the Genesis of your journey (Jonah 1:5-12). Most times, when couples are faced with conflicts, one of the ways to get stability and peace is to go back to how it all started. If you do this, you won’t be quick to end it all (Acts 26:19).
Not everybody will hear God audibly about their choice of life partner, but everybody should be led (Romans 8:14). Everybody should know without doubt that God is involved. There are times you take your feelings or desires to God, but you must be patient to receive what He has to stay (Psalm 85:8, Isaiah 28:16). Don’t just take it to God to stamp it. Give Him the opportunity to vet it.
If you look at the confidence that Apostle Paul spoke with during the turbulence on the sea, you would appreciate the place of getting God on your journey. He was peaceful and calm when others fidgeted (Acts 27:21-25). He had God’s approval on the journey. He had a revelation. What about you? Do you have God’s approval? Are you walking in divine revelation (Galatians 2:2)?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria