Cling, Cleave, Adhere
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:05 amAnother Devotional From My Church! - Cling, Cleave, Adhere.
It’s been said that, “Your commitments can develop you, or destroy you. But either way, they will define you.” Commitment is so important. I’m trying to instill into my kids the importance of commitment. I want them to understand that when you say you’re going to do something, you carry out that commitment and do it. If we don’t teach this to our children, our culture certainly won’t teach it to them. Today’s culture has lost the meaning of commitment. It’s really not relevant to society, specifically in regards to marriage.
So what does God say about the commitment of marriage? First of all, if you are divorced, I am not throwing stones at you. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. There are Biblical, legitimate reasons for divorce. But let‘s look at God’s heart, regarding marriage.
America has the highest percentage of divorces in the world. What’s interesting about this is that America also has the highest percentage of people who attend church. There’s a major contradiction in those two statements. The divorce rate in the Church is comparable to that of society at-large. It is reported that 40-50% of marriages in this country end in divorce, including marriages in the Church.
Ruth Bell Graham, when asked what was the most difficult thing about being married to Billy Graham said, “The most difficult thing about marriage is that it’s so daily.”
Matthew 19:1-9 is the heart of Jesus regarding marriage. In this passage, Jesus is being asked, by the religious leaders, if it’s okay to get a “no-fault” divorce? Jesus answers them and says that a man shall leave his father and mother and shall CLEAVE unto his wife and the two shall become one. What God has joined together, let no man separate. The word, “cleave,” is a very strong word that means: to cling—to adhere, or to catch by pursuit.
That’s what the Lord intended for a husband and a wife--that you would cling to that person that He brings to you. The person that the Lord brought to you in marriage, needs you—needs your help. Cleave to that person that God brought to you in marriage. A marriage relationship is the most important relationship in the sight of the Lord. Cleave, cling, adhere to one another! Stay super-glued to one another.
Men, you are to constantly pursue your bride. You are not to become comfortable and think that she is yours now and, therefore, you don’t’ have to win her heart. Never stop winning her heart. Continue to date your mate! Ladies, build up your husbands. Don’t tear them down. Use your words to encourage your husbands and tell your men how blessed you are to have them! Men love to be respected and have your support. Be your husband’s fan. Both husband and wife need to continue to pursue the other. Abide together, closely. “Cleave” is such an incredibly strong word!
Divorce was never the original intent of God for marriage. Divorce was permitted because of the hardness of man’s heart. Marriage was to be until “death do you part.” Marriage was never meant to be temporary. Ride out the storms of this life, together. The heart of God was for a man and woman, joined in marriage, to stay married, until the end.
Abraham and Sarah (married for some 80-100 years!) made it to the end. In Genesis 23, we see—"til death do you part!" Marriages are failing and falling apart left and right. It’s a tragedy. Let’s mend and make whole and fix the failing marriages—for the long haul.
The key to a healthy marriage is this, "A three-fold chord is not quickly broken," Ecclesiastes 4:12. Mr. and Mrs. “Father of our Faith,” Abraham and Sarah, are those encouraging examples for us. They endured through trials. They made it. I pray that the Lord strengthens each and every marriage, ‘til death do you part.
It’s been said that, “Your commitments can develop you, or destroy you. But either way, they will define you.” Commitment is so important. I’m trying to instill into my kids the importance of commitment. I want them to understand that when you say you’re going to do something, you carry out that commitment and do it. If we don’t teach this to our children, our culture certainly won’t teach it to them. Today’s culture has lost the meaning of commitment. It’s really not relevant to society, specifically in regards to marriage.
So what does God say about the commitment of marriage? First of all, if you are divorced, I am not throwing stones at you. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. There are Biblical, legitimate reasons for divorce. But let‘s look at God’s heart, regarding marriage.
America has the highest percentage of divorces in the world. What’s interesting about this is that America also has the highest percentage of people who attend church. There’s a major contradiction in those two statements. The divorce rate in the Church is comparable to that of society at-large. It is reported that 40-50% of marriages in this country end in divorce, including marriages in the Church.
Ruth Bell Graham, when asked what was the most difficult thing about being married to Billy Graham said, “The most difficult thing about marriage is that it’s so daily.”
Matthew 19:1-9 is the heart of Jesus regarding marriage. In this passage, Jesus is being asked, by the religious leaders, if it’s okay to get a “no-fault” divorce? Jesus answers them and says that a man shall leave his father and mother and shall CLEAVE unto his wife and the two shall become one. What God has joined together, let no man separate. The word, “cleave,” is a very strong word that means: to cling—to adhere, or to catch by pursuit.
That’s what the Lord intended for a husband and a wife--that you would cling to that person that He brings to you. The person that the Lord brought to you in marriage, needs you—needs your help. Cleave to that person that God brought to you in marriage. A marriage relationship is the most important relationship in the sight of the Lord. Cleave, cling, adhere to one another! Stay super-glued to one another.
Men, you are to constantly pursue your bride. You are not to become comfortable and think that she is yours now and, therefore, you don’t’ have to win her heart. Never stop winning her heart. Continue to date your mate! Ladies, build up your husbands. Don’t tear them down. Use your words to encourage your husbands and tell your men how blessed you are to have them! Men love to be respected and have your support. Be your husband’s fan. Both husband and wife need to continue to pursue the other. Abide together, closely. “Cleave” is such an incredibly strong word!
Divorce was never the original intent of God for marriage. Divorce was permitted because of the hardness of man’s heart. Marriage was to be until “death do you part.” Marriage was never meant to be temporary. Ride out the storms of this life, together. The heart of God was for a man and woman, joined in marriage, to stay married, until the end.
Abraham and Sarah (married for some 80-100 years!) made it to the end. In Genesis 23, we see—"til death do you part!" Marriages are failing and falling apart left and right. It’s a tragedy. Let’s mend and make whole and fix the failing marriages—for the long haul.
The key to a healthy marriage is this, "A three-fold chord is not quickly broken," Ecclesiastes 4:12. Mr. and Mrs. “Father of our Faith,” Abraham and Sarah, are those encouraging examples for us. They endured through trials. They made it. I pray that the Lord strengthens each and every marriage, ‘til death do you part.
but not by my choice, you see I am most of the cause of our failure and will not point any fingers anywhere else BUT I can say with NO doubt in my mind I would have endured ANYTHING with her but she had given up so many years earlier and my holding on and trying to relight the spark only prolonged the out come she already decided then.
the devotional i wrote was written by one of the pastors of my church! They have however given me permission post them here. So i sometimes will share devotionals from my church... If its not written by me i will always say so at the top, like "a devotional from my church" ect. 
