Day 14 – Genesis 2:18, 20

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”  ²⁰ So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.^[1]

One cannot have a conversation about family without mentioning marriage, which is part of God’s plan for His creation. Many people grow uncomfortable discussing marriage because it has become so controversial on so many levels. But the people of God need to have the discussion because of the pervasiveness of divorce and the formation of families outside the marriage. Much of the discussion today centers around same sex marriage, but the family was already in deep trouble. The Office Of National Statistics suggests that four out ten children today are born outside of marriage and that by 2016 the percentage will rise to over 50%. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under 7 (6.8) out of 1,000 get married in the U.S., and less than 4 (3.6) out of 1,000 get divorced. So it appears slightly more than 50% of marriage end in divorce, but worse yet, the majority of people are not even getting married. However, though avoiding marriage, many are still having children and starting families.

The Church of Jesus Christ is not immune to these alarming statistics. It has often been said that the divorce rate among Christians mirrors that of society in general, but according to the Gospel Coalition’s FactChecker this statistic is grossly inaccurate and overstated. “Here’s the truth, people who seriously practice a traditional religious faith—whether Christian or other—have a divorce rate markedly lower than the general population. The factor making the most difference is religious commitment and practice. What appears intuitive is true. Couples who regularly practice any combination of serious religious behaviors and attitudes—attend church nearly every week, read their Bibles and spiritual materials regularly; pray privately and together; generally take their faith seriously, living not as perfect disciples, but serious disciples—enjoy significantly lower divorce rates than mere church members, the general public, and unbelievers” (Gospel Coalition, 2012). Where these behaviors do not happen the divorce rate is higher, but still lower than the national average. God’s plan for the family unit was and still is rooted in marriage. Let us do the hard work of building and rebuilding them.

Dear Lord, our marriages are in trouble. We know Your heart is grieved whenever we live beneath our privilege, and especially when we fail to follow Your plan and design for our lives. Many of Your people today are suffering the pain of living in bad marriages or from having lost marriages. Some cannot get past the guilt they feel even when the divorce was warranted and they had done everything they could to salvage it. Help all of us today to know and follow Your plan. Bring healing and wholeness to those who suffer, and reconciliation and restoration where there is brokenness. Amen.