Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman instituted by God. As Christians, we can look to God’s Word for His promises and guidance for marriage. Marriage is designed by God to be a lifelong union, filled with purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. By clinging to God’s promises for marriage, couples can build a strong, Christ-centered relationship.
God’s Design for Marriage
The Bible explains that God designed marriage and created it to be the union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). This union between husband and wife is a representation of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). God intended for marriage to be:
- A lifelong commitment (Matthew 19:6)
- An intimate relationship where the two become one (Genesis 2:24)
- A holy covenant (Proverbs 2:17)
- A relationship of love and respect (Ephesians 5:33)
- A partnership for mutual support and the raising of godly children (Malachi 2:15)
According to Scripture, the marriage covenant requires faithfulness, sacrifice, and compromise as the husband and wife devote themselves to each other and to God (Mark 10:2-9). God designed marriage to be beautiful, meaningful, and purposeful when lived according to His plan.
God’s Promises for Marriage
Here are some of God’s incredible promises for marriage:
Promise of Companionship
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
One of the first things God identified after creating Adam was his aloneness. Out of love and care for Adam, God created Eve to be his companion and complete him. God promises that in marriage, a husband and wife are no longer alone but have each other for intimate friendship.
Promise of Pleasure
“Eat, friends, and drink, and imbibe deeply, O lovers.” (Song of Solomon 5:1)
Marriage is a gift from God, and God wants marriages to be pleasurable. In the book Song of Solomon, marital intimacy and pleasure are celebrated. Couples can fully enjoy each other and God’s good gifts of intimacy and sexual pleasure within marriage.
Promise of Fruitfulness
“God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.'” (Genesis 1:28)
God commands married couples to be fruitful and multiply. Children are a blessing from the Lord. God promises that marriage will be fruitful, and couples can joyfully receive and raise children up to know and love God within the committed union of marriage.
Promise of Completeness
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)
“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:14)
In marriage, husband and wife are perfectly matched and complement one another. A spouse is God’s perfect provision and gift. Marriage is the joining together of two incomplete people, making them whole and complete.
Promise of Blessing
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
As couples seek God first in their marriage, God promises to add blessing upon blessing to their union. He will bless them materially, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally as they follow His ways.
Promise of Hope
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Marriage has its difficulties, but God promises couples hope. He will fill marriages with His supernatural joy and peace as couples trust in Him. He empowers husbands and wives to have hope for their marriage in any circumstance.
Promise of Strength
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
On their own strength, no couple could uphold the Christian ideals for marriage. But God promises to renew their strength when they hope in Him. By relying on God’s strength, couples gain perseverance, patience, and endurance to keep loving each other faithfully.
How to Claim God’s Promises
God’s promises for marriage give tremendous hope, but couples must remember to do their part. Here are some ways couples can claim God’s promises for their marriage:
- Have faith in God. His promises are true and His Word is trustworthy. Believe He desires to bless and strengthen your marriage in incredible ways. (Hebrews 11:1)
- Pray together. Ask God specifically to fulfill His promises in your marriage. Be earnest in prayer and consistent. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Study God’s Word. Discovering God’s truths is key to believing His promises. Internalize Scripture on marriage. (Psalm 119:11)
- Obey God’s commands. Choose to love, honor, submit, forgive, and fulfill your marriage vows. It brings blessing. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
- Ask for God’s help. Seek the Holy Spirit’s power to walk in God’s ways and trust His promises for your relationship. (Luke 11:13)
- Persevere in hope. Don’t lose heart. God remains faithful. His promises will come true in His perfect timing. (Romans 12:12)
Biblical Examples of God’s Marriage Promises
We can look to Biblical marriages to see God’s promises reflected. These couples exemplified godly marriages by trusting and obeying God:
Isaac and Rebekah
Isaac prayed for a wife, and God provided Rebekah in His perfect timing (Genesis 24:12-15). They clung to God’s promise of companionship.
Jacob and Rachel
Though their marriage was rocky, Jacob’s love for Rachel reflects the promise of intimacy and life-long devotion in marriage (Genesis 29:18-20).
Ruth and Boaz
This couple exhibits friendship, commitment, and sacrifice. Their unity was a blessing that bore fruit as they followed God’s ways (Ruth 1:16-17).
Mary and Joseph
Despite confusion and hardship, they obeyed God. Their marriage was anchored in faith and trust in God’s promises (Matthew 1:18-25).
Aquila and Priscilla
This couple had a strong marriage grounded in ministry and service to further God’s kingdom together (Acts 18:1-3).
We can take encouragement and learn important lessons from these and other Scriptural marriages. When lived according to God’s design, marriage is truly a beautiful blessing.
Trusting God’s Promises
Marriage is hard work filled with challenges. Spouses face difficulties like financial strains, illnesses, infertility, misunderstandings, fatigue, family issues, intimacy problems, and many other hurdles. During hard times, clinging to God’s promises is essential.
God assures couples that although trials will come, He promises to be there helping them each step of the way. Couples can confidently surrender their relationships to Christ, ask for His help, and trust Him to uphold His promises and lead them into deeper joy and intimacy.
Remember…
- God designed marriage and wants it to be fulfilling and purposeful.
- God’s promises for marriage are powerful and life-changing.
- Couples must do their part to claim God’s promises through faith and obedience.
- Biblical examples give insight into godly marriages anchored in God’s promises.
- In difficulties, couples can lean on God’s promises and experience His faithfulness.
Conclusion
Marriage is an amazing gift from God that comes with incredible promises for couples who follow His blueprint. Although challenges will arise, anchoring a marriage to the Word of God leads to fulfillment, intimacy, and lifelong blessing. When husbands and wives commit their relationship fully to God and claim His promises by faith, they will experience the unity, purpose, and lifelong joy that God desires for their marriage.