Marriage In God’s Image
Friday, March 1
Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV)
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Devotion
Marriage is a beautiful gift from God that represents and includes Him. God, as triune (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), created marriage to also be triune (God, husband, and wife). In the Godhead there is equality between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while there is also leadership (the Father). In the same way, there is equality between the husband and wife, one is not more important or better than the other, but the leadership role still needs to be filled by the husband through servant leadership.
Married couples as individuals, should both be walking in their gifts and talents, while also still being one. And in that oneness, recognizing equality with order and leadership.
If we try to establish this oneness on our own, we will be exhausted and frustrated by our efforts - God must be included!
Trying to do marriage without God just doesn’t work. Just as in a dance, if there is no choreographer, the dancers won’t know the right steps to take to allow them to move across the dance floor in unity. In the same way, we need God in our marriages, directing and guiding our steps. Marriage should be a beautiful dance between husband and wife moving in grace and unity across the dance floor of life; where, although there is a leader, they move as one, with God directing their every step.
Today’s Prayer
Married (to be prayed together):
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with gratitude for Your special design of marriage. Thank You for all You have done and continue to do in our relationship with each other and with You. We ask that You give us Your guidance in being irrevocably united in love and wisdom. Help us to identify and work through anything that is not pleasing to You, so that we may continually reach higher levels of unity within our marriage as well as our spiritual walk with You. Father, choreograph the right steps for us to take in this beautiful dance of a marriage union. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Single:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Before I enter a marriage covenant, I want to take You as my partner in life. I ask that You lead me in every step so that I may be in perfect alignment with You. Show me Your ways, continually reminding me to stay in step with You. Help me to love You sacrificially with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Lord, I long to live by every word that proceeds out of Your mouth, helping me to be the version of me that You designed me to be. The name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Take time today to get alone with God and sincerely seek His divine direction for your life. In Jeremiah 33:3, He says, “Call to me and I will answer you, showing you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Ask Him to reveal the steps you need to take in order to be led into His next step for you. When He shows you, follow Him wholeheartedly.
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