Key Thought

Divorce is prevalent in modern society. But God is not pleased with divorce. Divorce shatters lives, injures children, and breaks commitments. It adds to instability and insecurity. God wants the "oneness" that exists in marriages to grow and deepen. He hates it when the oneness is destroyed. While God does allow for a circumstance when divorce is permitted, he always hates it because of the damage it does. It was not his plan from the beginning. He wanted the security of a growing and developing marriage.

Today's Prayer

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Almighty and eternal God, give the people in your Church a greater sense of commitment. The world I live in seems to take promises and covenants so lightly. As for me, please protect my marriage from unfaithfulness and insensitivity. I want to grow and deepen my relationship with my marriage partner. Please give us a long and dynamic life together. And Father, I also pray that you will lead and guide and bring together the right people to marry my children. Please bless them with a life-long marriage partner that will help them grow in their relationship with you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

After Jesus said all these things, he left Galilee. Jesus went into the area of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. Many people followed Jesus. Jesus healed the sick people there. Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make Jesus say something wrong. They asked Jesus, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?" Jesus answered, "Surely you have read this {in the Scriptures }: When God made the world, 'he made people male and female.' And God said, 'So a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.' So the two people are not two, but one. God joined those two people together. So no person should separate them." The Pharisees asked, "So why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce ?" Jesus answered, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God's teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. I tell you that any person that divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of the sin of adultery. The only reason for a person to divorce and marry again is if his first wife had sexual relations with another man." The followers said to Jesus, "If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, then it is better not to marry." Jesus answered, "Not every person can accept this truth {about marriage}. But God has made some people able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to make children. Other men were made that way later in life by other people. And other men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. But the person that can {marry} should accept this teaching {about marriage}. "

— Matthew 19:1-12 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.