Five Years of Grace

Today is a little different from the devotionals I normally share.

I wanted to continue yesterday's thought about how God can already be ahead of us, preparing for needs we cannot yet see. But today marks five years of marriage for my wife and me, and I wanted to pause and thank God for His grace.

Five years.

Someone once pointed out to me that the number five is often associated with grace. Whether or not we make too much of a number, grace is certainly the word I would use to describe these five years.

We have experienced beautiful moments. God has blessed us with wonderful children. He has surrounded us with people who have prayed for us, encouraged us and helped us along the way.

But these five years have also contained difficulties, mistakes, disagreements, disappointments and seasons when things were far from perfect.

When I look back, I cannot say, “We made it five years because I was a perfect husband.”

Quite the opposite.

Scripture tells husbands:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” — Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

There have been many times when I have fallen short of that standard. I have made mistakes. I have had shortcomings. There were times when instead of displaying the self-giving love of Christ toward my wife, I did the opposite.

Yet my wife has shown me tremendous patience, grace and forgiveness.

And above both of us has been the grace of God.

There were moments when, humanly speaking, things could have fallen apart. Yet God has been merciful. He has corrected us, carried us, brought us back to Himself and surrounded us with people who prayed for us.

So today I am thankful.

Thankful for my wife.

Thankful for her patience and forgiveness.

Thankful for our children.

Thankful for everyone who has prayed for our marriage.

And above everything else, thankful for the grace of God that has carried us farther than our own strength ever could.

But this devotion is not only for married people.

The Bible gives marriage tremendous honour, but marriage also points to something greater than itself.

Paul writes about Christ and the Church and then says:

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” — Ephesians 5:32 (KJV)

An earthly marriage, at its best, is a picture pointing toward a greater love story.

Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, and His Church is His bride.

That means whether you are married, single, widowed, divorced, hoping to marry someday, or never marry at all, the greatest invitation in this passage is for you.

Our deepest hope is not ultimately found in finding the perfect husband or wife.

It is found in Christ.

Human husbands and wives will disappoint one another. I know that from my own life. But Christ is the faithful Bridegroom who never fails His people.

He loved His Church so deeply that He gave Himself for her.

The gospel tells us that we are sinners who have fallen short of God's holiness. Yet Jesus came for us, died for our sins and rose again. Salvation is not something we earn by becoming good enough. It is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

And Scripture tells us that history is moving toward a glorious celebration:

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” — Revelation 19:9 (KJV)

So on our fifth anniversary, I am celebrating my marriage.

But I am also reminded that even the best earthly marriage is only a small picture of something infinitely greater.

One day, earthly marriages will have served their purpose. But our relationship with Christ will remain forever.

Five years have taught me that marriage needs grace.

Life needs grace.

I need grace.

And thankfully, Jesus is full of grace.

Reflection

"If you are married, how can you show your spouse more of the patient, sacrificial and forgiving love of Christ? And whether you are married or not: Are you ready for the Bridegroom?"

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for carrying us through seasons of joy and seasons of difficulty. Thank You for marriage, for family, for forgiveness, and for the people You place around us to pray for us and encourage us. Forgive us for the many ways we fail to love as You have called us to love. Help husbands to love sacrificially. Help wives to walk in Your grace. Strengthen marriages that are struggling, comfort those who have experienced loss or brokenness, and remind those who are unmarried that their life and worth are complete in Christ. Above all, thank You for Jesus Christ, the faithful Bridegroom who loved His Church and gave Himself for her. Prepare our hearts for the day when we will see Him face to face. In Jesus' name, Amen.