A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. …
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31, 10 – 12. 30

A lot of hardship and misery occurs when we choose our life partner ourselves. How many tears have been shed because our partner fails to match our expectations! God wants to take care of us in all aspects, including our partners in marriage. Proverbs 19, 14 states: A prudent wife is from the Lord.
He does not want to punish us or destroy our lives with a bad partner. He wants, especially in marriage, for His will to be done: humility, care, love, forgiveness, joy, comfort…
Our hearts desire intimacy and comfort with a partner.  Sometimes the desire is so great that we forget about God, except when we want Him to bless the decision we have made ourselves. Added to that is the manipulation of television, etc., telling us that we have a right to free sex, but at the same time we have a right to a faithful, wonderful partner. Lies and intrigue is what we can call these TV series. Even Christians allow themselves to fall under their spell.
If we want a guarantee for a good marriage, there is no other way but to ask for God’s wisdom and understanding. There will be difficulties, but with God, the marriage will become a house built on a rock.
We want God to set the benchmark for marriage, family, and sexuality. We do not agree with the benchmark set by this crazy world. That is why we should see through the trends and manipulations of politics, the media and film, and consciously replace these images with God’s thinking.
Rather, we want to rely on God. In prayer we experience comfort and fulfillment. In communion with other Christians we experience what Christian community is, – even if the others are only humans with flaws (- but we learn to forgive). God Himself must prepare us for marriage and family, and also our partners, whilst we learn to live according to His word, and to trust in Him.

Thank You Jesus, You have only good thoughts and plans for me! You fulfill every desire of mine. You take care of me and fulfill every need. In You I find eternal joy and peace. Yes, in You alone I want to trust.

Bible study for today: Hebrews 11, 23-40