#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 26 And two shall become one

“Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God. Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you, know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.” Joshua 23:11-13 NKJV

Many divorces happened because people ‘fell out of love’ with their spouse. In and out of love is a concept that the world understands. Marriage seminars teaches us how to keep love alive in the marriage; things to do and not do. We are taught to keep fanning the flame of love and to keep the passion alive. All these things that you ‘feel’ unfortunately, if the feeling cannot be felt, it’s time to call it a day.

Joshua admonished the Israelites towards the end of his life to. “...take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.”

Taking heed to one-self indicates that loving God is a personal responsibility, nobody can motivate or excite you, neither can anyone inspire you to love God. We have to be mindful about our state of heart towards Elohim God. If not, you will find yourself going back to your previous ways of life.

One of the most significant ways to turn back from God is being ensnared by the world and marrying into the world. God gave the Israelite clear instruction not to marry from the gentile nations, that they will turn their hearts from Him to their gods. Marriage is a heart thing, it is easier to get pulled away from Elohim through marriage - Samson, Solomon, are classic example.

Marrying from the idol worshiping nations meant God would not drive them from the land – they have now become one with the Jews. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ... So they are no longer two, but one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

Marriage binds together, you are no longer two but one. God would not drive them out of the land, however their idolatry customs would become a snare and a trap, something that constantly tempted and tested them. Many of the Israelite unfortunately fell into these traps and did turn their back on their God. The nation of Israel became divided and were eventually driven out of their promise land.

I don’t believe marrying an unbeliever would cost you eternity but surely when there is already a spiritual divide, how can the household serve only One True God? Whoever you marry, you are bound to.

  

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my life and the grace of salvation. Help me to take heed to myself and love You the LORD my God. May I not go back and cling to my previous ways of life but remain a new creature in Christ Jesus. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity