Marriage, A Good Thing

Proverbs 18:22 “22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

NEW YORK (AP) — While some U.S. adults consider Cupid's holiday outdated, more say they love the romance and fun of Valentine's Day, and many expect to spend quality time with partners, friends and family.

A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that about three-quarters of Americans plan to celebrate Friday's holiday in some way this year.

More than half will be with a romantic partner, and about 4 in 10 will be with family. About 2 in 10 will celebrate with friends, and 15% say they'll mark the occasion in some other way.

Roughly one-quarter of Americans will not celebrate at all. People in a relationship are much more likely than those not in a relationship to say they’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day in some way.

Love is something that every person in every country can relate to. In the same way in every culture the smile is understood the same way

We all can share in our lives when it comes to love. and it is no mistake.

God has created us to love. All of us need love and Specifically Love that can only come from God.

THis is why many will seek up and down to fill the void in their heart. Fill it with drugs, relationships, hobbies, jobs, habits. ALL to fill the void in our heart.

Not only we need the love of God, we also need the Love of family, friends and even our spouses.

and when it comes to all of these relationships, only one can reach higher than all other relationships.

Marriage.

Genesis 2:24 NKJV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Marriage

A husband read an article to his wife about how women use 30,000 words a day to a man’s 15,000. The wife replied, “That’s because we have to repeat everything to men.” The husband turned to his wife and said, “What?”

He who Finds a Wife

Proverbs 18:22 NKJV

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

Not everyone finds a wife.

But it is interesting, there are also great People who did not Find a Wife

Jeremiah 16:1–2 “1 The word of the Lord also came to me, saying, 2 “You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place.””

Not everyone will get to experience the blessing of marriage.

Proverbs 18:22 NKJV

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

And if we speak of marriage to young men and women who have not been married, we speak of things that are not quite yet understood.

Not that we are less valuable before marriage, there are a great number of things God has in his program to work together.

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

One day, young Evan eagerly approached his parents with a big announcement. "Mom, Dad, I've decided—I'm ready for marriage!" His parents, seasoned veterans of the marriage game, exchanged a knowing look and settled in for what they knew would be an entertaining conversation.

His mother started gently, "Evan, sweetheart, marriage is a big commitment. It’s full of challenges and requires a lot of maturity. Are you sure you’re ready for that?"

"Absolutely, Mom! I've been preparing," Evan said with a confident grin.

His father, with a twinkle of curiosity in his eye, asked, "And how exactly have you been preparing, son?"

Evan beamed proudly, "Well, I've watched every episode of 'Say Yes to the Dress,' 'Four Weddings,' and 'Bridezillas.' I even took notes!"

His mother raised an eyebrow. "So, you think knowing how to pick a wedding dress and plan a ceremony makes you ready for marriage?"

"Exactly!" Evan said, nodding enthusiastically. "I know all about wedding planning, and I’ve seen how brides handle stress on TV. I’m totally prepared."

His father couldn’t help but chuckle. "Evan, do you realize that walking down the aisle is just the beginning? Marriage involves so much more—like communication, compromise, and handling life’s ups and downs together."

Evan, ever the optimist, responded with a shrug, "I'll figure out the rest after the ceremony. How hard can it be?"

His father, cutting to the chase. “ Evan in order to get married and walk down the Isle you will first have to find someone willing to walk down the Isle with you…

In a world of convenience, not everyone sees Marriage the way God does. Many will try to do this their way.

Cohabitation, common law marriage

Marriage to get finances: Gold diggers

Control freaks, abusers

The list goes on and on and the list can all be summed up with.. The reason for doing marriage incorrectly is Selfishness.

Selfishness will always be the enemy of your marriage.

Genesis 2:24 “24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

A Good Thing

Proverbs 18:22 “22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

In our Text, God Says Marriage is good. She who finds a husband finds a good thing. He who finds a wife finds a good thing.

A happy Marriage is not What can I get out of the marriage to appease me. or What profit can this marriage gain to me.

A happy marriage is What Can I do to bring blessing to my Spouse. What things can I forgive and work through to bring us together.

If I am inconvenienced by making a couple of changes here or there, but my wife is lifted up, then We are lifted up.

Ephesians 5:25–28 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.”

And Marriage is Honorable, fruitful, fulfilling. To be able to confide in someone you are so close to, that there is no shame or question about judgement or ridicule.

To share life so closely that the mundane things normally would have us bored, are vastly more interesting now. Why? Simply because i am sharing those moments with my wife.

The blessing of Marriage cannot be overstated.

Genesis 24 Isaac was comforted by his wife through the death of a loved one.

Ruth 4 Ruth enters the Lineage of David and then the lineage of Jesus. Her whole life of wandering in Moab and running from Famine, ended and now is married to a Godly Man and eventually led by God.

Acts Priscilla and Aquila's marriage was a blessing to each other and to many others, as they worked together in their trade, supported Paul, and played a significant role in the early Christian church. Their unity, devotion, and shared mission exemplify a strong, loving, and purpose-driven marriage.

THe bible is full of wisdom for marriage and examples of many marriages that made great impact.

IF MARRIAGE IS SUCH A BLESSING THEN WHY DO WE NOT SEE EVERYONE HAVE HAPPY MARRIAGES?

Obtains Favor

Proverbs 18:22 “22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

Favor speaks of Pleasure or Liking. the Same Favor that Joseph recieved in Egypt.

Proverbs 19:12 “12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.”

Deuteronomy 33:16 “16 With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come ‘on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.’”

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