Top 10 Reasons You Need God in Your Marriage

Recently, I preached at the wedding of some friends of mine who come to our church.  Rather than drone on and on with a stereotypical wedding discourse I decided to repackage my thoughts into a format familiar to most people today, a top ten list.  It seemed to go off very well so I'll share it here.

The top ten reasons you need God in your marriage.

10. Changing each other doesn't work. 

Barbara Streisand once said, "Why does a woman work for 10 years to change a man's habits, and then complain he's not the man she married?"  Rather trying to make each other more like what the other wants, why not make God the center of your marriage and let Him change you into the people He wants you to be.  It's much more effective and you'll like God's changes better.

9. Times will get tough.

There are times when your problems are bigger than both of you put together.  It's nice to know that you can lean on God when all is chaos around you.  We are reminded in Hebrews 13:5 that Jesus has promised, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

8. Money doesn't grow on trees. 

Financial difficulties seem to plague all marriages and can come on at any stage in your relationship.  God has promised in Philippians 4:19 to provide, "all your needs."  Now there's a promise you can take to the bank.

7. Communication is difficult at times. 

With God, though, you can work through your misunderstandings.  But it's not enough to just say God help this man or woman understand. You have to get on your knees together and pray for help.  God will see you through those times of miscommunication and confusion if you work through the challenges as a team of 3.

6. You will face tough decisions ahead. 

There are times when you won't know what to do.  Thankfully God does and He will guide you in that direction.  Psalm 32:8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with my eye."

5. There are plenty of people out there who would try to steal your spouse away.

There will be temptations. Pray for strength. Stay focused on God.  Pray together.  And He will see you through.

4. Forgiveness doesn't always come easy. 

We learn to forgive each other as we see how God has already forgiven us.  If the focus of your marriage is exclusively on the other person they will repeatedly disappoint us and shake our faith in the relationship.  But if we focus on God we are reminded of all He has forgiven us and we will have the proper perspective in order be able to forgive each other.

3. Marriages take planning. 

Couples don't just get to where they want to be in life on accident.  Together you must plan where you want to go.  But even the best plans don't always work out.  Thankfully, God leads through His providence.  Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps."

2. Health is fleeting. 

We all grow old.  Eventually everyone experiences health difficulties and often times it is up to the spouses to take care of each other.  It is of great comfort to know that the Great Physician is on your side and can help and heal.

1. The couple that prays together stays together.

Sociological research repeatedly indicates that couples united in prayer stay together at higher rates than those that aren't.  One Gallup poll found less than 1% of couples who prayed together daily got divorced.  Prayer and trust in God is the greatest glue to hold your marriage together.