“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” — Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
Welcome to the 8th weekly devotional recap of the year. This week’s articles took us through the school of marriage, teaching us how to do it God’s way.
We began the week with a reminder that marriage is a divine institution with specific roles and responsibilities, not just a human arrangement. The Bible calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially and wives to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22, 25).
A Christ-centred marriage is built on mutual respect and selfless love, mirroring the relationship between Jesus and His Church. Marriage was designed by God, and the only way to do it right is by following His standards with the help of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Tuesday’s devotional highlighted the importance of understanding and expressing love in ways that resonate with your spouse. While there are five generally accepted love languages, it is important to express love in a way the recipient values.
Jesus, our example in love, demonstrated it through words, service (John 13:4-5), sacrifice, and the ultimate gift of Himself (John 3:16). He loved people in the way they needed, and we should do the same. By understanding how your spouse receives love, you can deepen your bond and mirror Christ’s unconditional love.
On Wednesday, we learnt about the power of oneness in marriage. A marriage is a union where two people become intricately connected (Genesis 2:24). Just as the body functions best in harmony, a marriage thrives when both partners commit to walking together in agreement (Amos 3:3). This unity is built on three essential pillars: communication, sacrifice, and intentionality.
Marriage is a beautiful gift from God designed to reflect His love and bring you joy. To build a thriving, God-centered relationship, you must prioritise spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual intimacy.
Thursday’s devotional encouraged lifelong growth in marriage. Proverbs 24:3-4 teaches that wisdom builds a home, and understanding establishes it. A teachable heart and intentional investment will pave the way for a thriving marriage (Proverbs 4:7). Just as a student must continually learn, you must actively seek wisdom from God’s Word, mentors, and experience. A successful marriage is not built on wishful thinking but on effort and dedication.
We ended the week on Friday with a teaching on handling conflict. Disagreements are inevitable in human relationships due to our imperfections, so we must learn how to manage them. Many times, the greatest tests of your love walk will come from those closest to you, and how you respond is your responsibility.
Even though it might be hard, lean into the help of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and submit to the wisdom of God through your spiritual leaders to help you navigate through hurt and conflict (Matthew 18:17).
Dear believer, by embracing God’s design, seeking His wisdom, and intentionally walking in love and forgiveness, we can build marriages that honour Him and mirror Christ’s relationship with the Church.
Have a blessed weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 7-10; Acts 7:23-8:13