Being a Faithful Spouse

"You have said harsh things against me," says the Lord. Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape'." Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name." Malachi 3:13-16

Nothing can replace faithfulness to your marriage covenant. Just ask anyone who has experienced the devastation of infidelity. Is there a way to 'affair-proof' your marriage? Let's take a look at the Bible's perspective of infidelity. God takes this seriously, and we should too.

The above scripture refers to divorce and breaking the vow of loyalty to our spouse and to God. We have the opportunity to live out faithfulness daily in our marriages in little ways. In most cases couples who have had affairs were not focusing on cultivating faithfulness in their marriage.

Faithfulness involves being loyal, true, and honest with the vows you made with your spouse on your wedding day. It involves being considerate of your mate by calling when you are going to be late, taking turns getting up with the baby, or staying up until your teen gets home. Giving and receiving love and affection and paying attention to your spouse so that you will notice when he needs you.

Life has a way of stressing us to the point of distraction and it's easy to grow apart emotionally. Being busy with careers, children and other activities can cause you to have little time and energy to invest in your marriage. But taking the time to really invest throughout your marriage gives great returns on a lifelong, loving, committed relationship with the one God joined you to.

"Marriage involves a lot of promises. It is the promise of a lifetime for a lifetime. Malachi tells us that God hates divorce. He hates the pain and division it creates, because He makes two people one in body and spirit when they marry.

The marriage covenant mirrors God's covenant with his people. God is always faithful, but we often are not. Making a lifetime commitment isn't easy. But God's love, care and forgiveness are constant, and He wants us to be constant in keeping our promise to stay devoted for a lifetime." -Anonymous

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Bless our marriage as we walk together hand in hand, being sensitive to our spouses needs. Help us to be in tune with one another so that we have a healthy balance in our relationship. Thank You for Your faithfulness. May we glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.