Topic: VITAL SECRETS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (2)  By Pastor Faith Oyedepo Living Faith Church [ Winners Chapel] 1st February2022

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VITAL SECRETS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (2)

Dear Reader,

In the last edition, we saw the place of digging into the Word of God to establish our desires for our families. When the Word is discovered and applied with wisdom, treasures that make for fulfilment in family life are uncovered. Today, we shall focus on ‘The Realities of the Covenant of Marriage’. It is important to understand what marriage is all about. Many people, including Christians, have a misconception about marriage. Some think it is just the coming together of a man and a woman to bear children. Some others think it is a kind of friendship or relationship. Scripturally, marriage is a covenant, and until you have this understanding, you may never enjoy fulfilment in your family. Firstly, marriage is a covenant between God and the couple and then between the couple themselves. So, when you are entering into a marriage relationship, it is important to know you are entering into a covenant with God and with your spouse. Malachi 2:14says, …Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and … the wife of thy covenant.

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What is a covenant? A covenant is an agreement between two people. It is a relationship that must not be broken; if it is ever broken, a penalty follows suit. A covenant is also for a lifetime, and I believe strongly that is why the Word of God says in Ecclesiastes 10:8, …whoso breaketh an edge, a serpent shall bite him.  A promise can be claimed, but a covenant cannot. In a covenant, you have to abide by some rules and regulations, and as you do these, you enjoy the benefits therein. When you walk in terms with the covenant, God fulfils His own part of the covenant. 

Success in marriage is not a function of prayers; it is basically a function of walking with the terms of the covenant. The only place prayer is needed is for divine grace to walk in line with the demands of the covenant. Prayer can never take the place of obedience to the terms of the covenant. Therefore, instead of going from place to place seeking solutions to the problems of your family, settle down for knowledge of your covenant responsibility and stay committed to its fulfilment. It is in engaging that covenant responsibility that your desire lies. The marriage covenant is best described as a triangle, with God on top or at the apex, and the man and his wife at the bottom or the base, everyone playing their part independently … as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). God created you and made you a part of that family for a purpose, and you will be accountable to Him for the fulfilment of that purpose. Husband and wife have covenant obligations to each other for which they will also be held accountable. Your responsibility to obey the terms of the covenant is not dependent on your spouse fulfilling his or her own part. As far as God is concerned, you have been given an individual responsibility, and you must be accountable to Him for its fulfilment.

The failure on the part of your spouse for the non-performance of his or her responsibility is not a sufficient excuse for your non-performance. For instance, as a man, you cannot say the failure of your wife to submit to your headship is the reason you cannot love her. The same goes for the woman; whether your husband loves you or not, you are under an obligation to submit to him in everything. When you fulfil your own part of the covenant, God will also fulfil His own part, which is to give you peace, joy, fulfilment and every good thing you desire in your family. God is constant; His side is stable, and He does not change (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He will do whatever He says He will do, and that means that whatever good you see God do for any family, He can do the very same thing for you because He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). If He has to change your spouse’s attitude in response to your obedience, He will do it. The Bible says, The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will (Proverbs 21:1). The turning of your spouse’s heart is but a light thing with the Lord, for with Him nothing shall be impossible. Therefore, just concentrate on pleasing Him by your obedience to His command, and He will please you by fulfilling His part of the covenant. When your covenant relationship with God is in place, your covenant relationship with your spouse becomes a very easy thing to observe. If you get committed to obeying the Lord by either loving your wife or submitting to your husband, you will discover that it becomes a thing of joy for you to do. It becomes a delight to show love or submit. It is no longer mechanical but spontaneous, and all that could ever be desired in a home becomes yours cheaply.

However, God is a God of covenants, and the benefits of His covenants are only available to those who have a covenant relationship with Him. He said in His Word, Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice (Psalm 50:5). You can become a part of those in covenant with Him by inviting Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are set to accept Jesus, say this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  I cannot help myself.  Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your blood.  Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God.  I believe You died for me, and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.       

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