A Lasting Union

These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008.


I'm going to be doing the Marriage Series for the next few weeks not only for you, but mainly for myself. I realize that there is so much I need to learn before I am married and that God's not done stitching my inward attire to make me presentable to Matthew. I've been trying to stitch my inward dress myself and I've made a mess of it. I never was good at sewing. But now I'm handing the needle back to God because I know He can take my mess and turn it into something beautiful that will cause Matthew to turn cartwheels.

This is the final Marriage Series entry.



This devotion is part of the "Planning a Successful Marriage" series.

~Marriage Takes Three~

I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.

But marriage seldom thrives
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.

Today we are ending our study of Psalm 45. We have looked closely at both the preparations and the people that were involved in this special wedding day, but what about after the ceremony? What about after the flowers and decorations are discarded, after the food and wedding cake has been consumed, after the dress is carefully stored away and the groom goes back to work, what is life going to be like then for this newly united couple? Will they stay together? What about future generations following this couple as they look back upon what will then be an old photograph of this very special wedding day; how will the memory of this particular marriage reach into the future? What keeps it's memory alive and prevents it from ever being forgotten at all, even if there were no photographs as a reminder? Let's see what the Bible says as we close the wedding album of Psalm 45 by looking at verses 16 and 17 today....

Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee forever.

"I" will make thy name to be remembered... Who is the "I"? God! Ladies, we don't have to be numbered with all the divorces down through the ages, we can and should stand out as successes! GOD alone is the only one who can keep man and wife together, HE keeps our marriages alive and healthy and growing, and then carries the memory of that holy union far into the future where it touches our future generations with it's godly impact! When the glitter is gone, when the smiles have faded, when the financial problems come, when trials arrive at the doorstep of your home, God must not only start out but remain at the center of every couple's relationship in order for them to survive their years together triumphantly. What a testimony a godly marriage can be, what an impact it can have, especially upon our own children as they witness the staying power of the Lord in our lives! God's wisdom is demonstrated to them through the changed lives of their parents, and they will never forget it…

Isaiah 54:13
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Psalm 145:4-7
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

Have you thought about how your marriage is going to be remembered, dear wife? What is being recorded on a daily basis in the hearts and minds of your children? What mental notes concerning your marriage have others made who know the two of you? Is God at the center of your relationship? Is your marriage enhancing the name of the Lord or making it unappealing? Let's strive for our marriages to be "picture perfect", leaving the image of Christ upon our homes forever! His name is above every name, and it is an enduring name....

Psalm 72:17
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Ladies, there is no end to the kingdom of God, nor to His praise! God always was and always will be; He endures forever.... His name is above every name and shall continue as long as the sun, the Bible says. All who have the Lord's name at the center of their lives shall also go on forever, for we are blessed IN HIM. Longevity is always linked to our obedience to the Lord. If you are having marital problems, kick yourself off the throne of your heart today and put the Lord back where He belongs! No marriage fails with Christ at the center unless somebody first removed Him from His rightful place. With the Lord at the core of every bride and groom's life, their marriage can last just as long as the sun! There need be no end to it as is so common today, even among Christian couples.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

We have no excuses for our failing marriages other than prideful hearts that will not run to the Lord for strength to endure, to continue, to last....

Acts 3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Ladies, we have a name so powerful that when called upon it saves our souls from hell - why would we think it couldn't save a suffering marriage when called upon??! God's name is a name that brings perfect soundness; it brings healing to a man and wife's diseased relationship and becomes a testimony of health to all who view its godly recovery! Bride and groom must strive to work together to magnify the name of Christ both in their individual and unified lives. This purpose should be their daily, common goal before it will ever become what they are remembered for....

Psalm 34:3
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

The bride and groom who trust in God and not themselves are truly blessed. They shall have grace enough to support them all through their married lives and they will experience happiness no other way. Wise is the couple who puts Jesus at the center!

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003 Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website