Daily Devotional
Allowance For Divorce
July 24, 2017
People often ask me whether God allows divorce. Here’s my answer.
A physical act of sexual immorality is the only allowance that the Lord Jesus gave for divorce (see Matthew 19:3-9). He did not command divorce, nor did He commend divorce. As a matter of fact, our Lord teaches that restoration and forgiveness is far, far better even in cases of marital infidelity.
I guess the classic example of this is in the book of Hosea. Here was a man whose wife not only committed immorality, but she finally ended up as a prostitute. And yet Hosea went back to Gomer, reclaimed her, forgave her, remarried her, and restored her as his wife in their home. What a beautiful example of what the Lord teaches about restoration and forgiveness. Indeed, this is God’s ideal.
I hear so many foolish excuses for divorce. For example, “Well, I don’t love my spouse any more. Since the love has gone out of our marriage, then we should get a divorce.” That, my friend, is never a reason for divorce and I’ll tell you why. It is not love that sustains your marriage. It is your marriage that sustains your love.
Jesus said, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:7-9).
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
