(Jesus said) "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Matthew 24:12
Maybe there is some truth in that song which says, "The Times They Are A-Changin'" ... at least when it comes to people's perception of marriage.
That comment is based on a report generated by the Pew Research Center that says about 28 percent of children are living with a parent who is unwed or has never been married. That's up five times since 1960.
Just as significant, 39 percent of the people who were surveyed said marriage is becoming obsolete.
I agree.
Marriage is obsolete, that is, if you define marriage as being a relationship which has no desire to please the Lord, no willingness to have Him bless the vows, no desire to set an example for those in or outside the Church, or no desire to have the Lord as a partner in every day the husband and wife spend together.
No, that kind of a loosely made, short-term, non-binding handshake idea of marriage is obsolete.
It has always been obsolete.
On the other hand, there are those -- and maybe they are becoming a minority -- but there are those who still believe God desires and blesses a faith-based lifelong relationship between one man and one woman.
There are those who still find strength and power and security and love ... yes, love ... in a Christian marriage.
And no matter what public opinion might say that kind of a fulfilling relationship is never going to be obsolete.
The truth is the Heavenly Father knows best. True, humans have always liked to think we are masters of our fate and captains of our soul, but that kind of thinking just doesn't work out -- not in the long run.
What does work is coming to the Lord and asking for direction and guidance.
When we do that, we always know we're getting the best of advice. After all, who is able to give us better direction, assistance and inspiration than our Maker, than our Redeemer, than our Sanctifier?
God knows us inside and out. That's why the closer we keep ourselves to His ways and His paths, the better and more content will be our days.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, how strange it is that people always feel they can improve on Your gifts, thinking their plans are wiser than Yours. I pray all of us may realize that You who gave Your Son for our salvation will do what is best for us. Grant us the ability to accept and appreciate that guidance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 37-39 2 Peter 2
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