December 8
Scripture of the day: "This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 'For I hate divorce,' says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'and him who covers his garment with wrong,' says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." Malachi 2:13-16
Thought of the day: The Israelites wept and groaned on God's alter because He wouldn't accept their offerings. They asked, "For what reason?" God's answer was that the problem came from their impurity in their marriages. He condemned them for treating their wives treacherously ... and for violating or breaking the marriage covenant. And God made the permanency of marriage very clear by saying, "I hate divorce".
Challenge of the day: Marriage should be pure and permanent. A believer should marry only another believer, Malachi 2:11, and 2 Corinthians 6:14. Purity in a one-flesh relationship excludes all others during marriage ... and excludes all (including your future mate) before marriage. And then stay married. If there is a problem in your marriage, divorce is not the answer. Your service to God is more acceptable to Him if your marriage is right. Even a man's prayers are better if he treats his wife honorably, 1 Peter 3:7.
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