John and Jamie were married today, a good reminder for me in my own marriage about the nature of covenant, the role we have in marriage and the marriage of others, and the promise God offers if we will.
Our pastor Tony described marriage as the clearest picture we have of our relationship with God. Although covenant is very much like a contract, it is actually the opposite in one important way....a contract is written because there is no trust, while a covenant is an expression of trust. Marriage is a declaration that after God, you are the most important person in my life, an agreement I want to bless you.
Tony went on to explain how Jewish weddings deliberately had the brides family on one side, and the groom's on the other: marriage was the act of joining the two with God at the center. As a witness of the seal we have the responsibility to pray for the couple, point them to God, and each other. I mentioned the obvious to Jamie's mother; weddings are not just for the bride and groom.
2Cor 1:21
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Eccl 4:9
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
Duet 15, 28
In his last address to the Jewish people, Moses tells of the blessings that go to those who fully obey God, blessed when you go in, and blessed when you go out.
You Raise me up
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