THE MARRIAGE REF

    While watching the Olympics late one night a commercial about a new TV show arrested my attention. The Marriage Ref is a new show being produced by Jerry Seinfeld with an illustrious panel of “experts” such as Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, Martin Short, Eva Longoria, Ricky Gervais and Madonna, all who apparently want to “save” our marriages.  My immediate response was, “Are you serious?  This sounds like a “hall of fame,” of people who most certainly should not be giving us marriage advice.  I have no intention of tuning in to this comedy of marriage advice errors.  This is not what America needs to help heal the thousands of broken homes and broken hearts that are a result of failed marriages.

Having said that, we desperately need help in our homes.  We have way to many divided families, broken homes and suffering children in our world.  There is a Marriage Ref who can help save our marriages. He is the one who wrote “THE” Marriage Manual.  He officiated at the first wedding between the couple He created and brought together many years ago (Genesis 2). His plans are fail-proof. His advice will work every time.  

If you are struggling in your marriage turn to Him.  Around 2000 years ago He put two pieces of wood together and opened up a repair shop that has fixed more broken homes, broken hearts, and broken lives that every other “marriage expert” who has ever hung out their shingle.  His advice far surpasses anything that you will hear on some television program. He teaches us that marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:23-24). He teaches us that they should leave the home of their youth and be joined together forever (Genesis 2:24). He teaches us that a man should love his wife like Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), that he should love his wife like he loves his own body (Ephesians 5:28), and that he should love his wife as he loves himself (Ephesians 5:33). He teaches us that a woman should humbly submit to her husband who is to be the spiritual leader of the family (Ephesians 5:22-23; 6:1-4).  He teaches us that adultery is not an option (Matthew 19:1-9). He teaches us that we should be faithful to one another as long as we live and that marriage is to be for life.

I doubt seriously that you will hear this type of encouragement and advice by watching “The Marriage Ref.” So why not listen to the Marriage Maker. The one who wants you to succeed more than anyone else. The one who really can strengthen, save, and sanctify your marriage.

Dear God, help us listen to You when it comes to our marriages. Help us Father, to read the original marriage manual and not attempt to substitute worldly advice for Heavenly advice. Thank you for forming the family. Thank you for making marriage. Thank you for giving us everything we need to build strong families.