Marriage is not always as wonderful as it was on the wedding day. Divorce is a hard thing to consider, but it’s something many think about when trouble comes, whether it’s the relationship, financial problems, health or parenting issues. One day some Pharisees came to test Jesus by asking Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
“What did Moses command you?” Jesus said.
They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” said Jesus. “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:2–9).
THINK ABOUT IT
Today as in Old Testament times, divorce might seem like an easy solution to marital problems. It is not, especially if children are involved. Sadly, the children might think they caused the dissolution, that it was somehow their fault. They might even have feelings of guilt if they are old enough to choose which parent they want to live with. In times of abuse and unsuccessful times spent with marriage counselors, divorce is the only solution to end the pain. Although God hates divorce, He does not want someone to remain in a dangerous situation. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. We live in a world filled with sin and things like divorce happen. Jesus died for our sin and is available to comfort and counsel in our times of loneliness and despair.
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father God, our hearts break when marriage doesn’t work out. Help us to find the least painful solution. Heal the hurt felt by everyone in the family, and teach us to show respect and cooperation even in the midst of conflict. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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