December 30 -- "Marriage—A Three-Way Bond"

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Today's Reading: Malachi 2

Marriage is more than a human contract; it is a sacred covenant designed by God for His glory and our good. In Malachi 2:15, the prophet asks, “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?” This highlights marriage as a divinely established bond where God seeks godly offspring and faithful devotion to Him.

The phrase "a portion of the Spirit in their union" highlights God's active role in the covenant of marriage. It suggests that the union between husband and wife is not merely a two-person relationship, but a three-way bond infused with God's Holy Spirit. This "portion of the Spirit" points to the divine blessing and empowerment given to the couple, enabling them to reflect God's image through their relationship.

A marriage infused with God's Spirit is a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. When God's Spirit is present in a marriage, the relationship transcends human effort and becomes a reflection of divine love, grace, and unity.

Malachi goes on to rebuke the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness, both to God and their spouses. The Lord reminds them that marriage is a union the Lord created for a holy purpose. The "oneness" of marriage reflects God’s design from the beginning (Genesis 2:24). It is meant to be a relationship of loyalty, love, and spiritual unity. When couples abandon this covenant, it dishonors God and disrupts His purpose for their lives.

For believers, this truth is a reminder to rely on the Holy Spirit in their marriage. It encourages couples to pray for the Spirit’s presence in their relationship, seek His guidance in challenges, and lean on Him for strength to honor the sacredness of their bond. Marriage is not meant to be lived out in mere human strength but with the divine portion of God’s Spirit empowering the union.

May the Lord bless your relationships with faithfulness, love, and His abiding Spirit. May He draw you closer to Him and to each other, and may your life together shine as a testimony of His unfailing love.