Waiting on God for Marriage: Utilizing Biblical Principles to Cultivate a God-Centered Marriage

By Tamilene Black and Victor Black

When a man and woman commit to God and to each other in marriage, it is one of the most important decisions they will make in their lifetime. Amid all of the challenges that surround life and a marriage, being obedient and following God’s Word are two key ingredients to forming a lasting and healthy marital relationship.

This book is a guide designed to enrich the life of believers desiring to have a God-centered marriage and walk in their God-given destiny and purpose. Tamilene and Victor Black utilize scripture and marriages described in the Bible to enlighten both men and women on what it truly means to wait on God’s will and direction to find the spouse God has just for them.

They encourage the believer to trust God in their marriage, and demonstrate how God showers blessings on our lives when we are obedient to His Word. Included are valuable sources or options for finding a companion using biblical wisdom and communication skills, as well as spiritually-based wisdom on how to handle family finances, understand a companion’s romantic language, resolve conflicts, and much more.

Waiting on God for Marriage is a comprehensive guide to forming lasting healthy marital relationships by using biblical principles and God’s Word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973691914

Tamilene Black

Tamilene and Victor Black are dedicated to marriage ministry. Tamilene earned a master’s degree in human services and counseling studies from Capella University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Upper Iowa University. Victor earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. They both are military veterans, and reside in Madison, Alabama, where they lead a marriage and couples ministry. This book was written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Book preview

CHAPTER

1

SEEKING GOD FOR A

HUSBAND OR WIFE

Allowing God to Be Your Ultimate Matchmaker

G od created man and woman; thus, Adam and Eve were the first official bride and groom. God knows each and every one of us better than we know ourselves. When you think about it, God is the ultimate matchmaker. In order to find a companion, using wisdom equates to first seeking God for His purpose for your life. Are you serving God, obeying His Word, and putting Him first in your life? Matthew 6:33 tells us to Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. God wants us to ensure that we have our priorities in order. We must make sure that we have our lives together and are on the right track by serving Him before we attempt to join in marriage with a companion. Before seeking God for a companion, we need to strive to hear from God via His Holy Spirit and know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

The Spirit of the Lord resides with humankind. God never intended for His people to figure things out on their own, without help from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and reveals the will of our Father in heaven. When it comes to marriage, God takes a personal interest in the purpose and life of each couple according to His will. God never leaves marriage to chance for those who are His children. The Lord watches over marriages and uses them to perform His work in the kingdom of God. The Lord established marriage as a covenant between Him and His people, which is the foundation of faith. God uses marriage to teach His people how to live according to His will on earth and prepare them for His heavenly kingdom.

God’s mandate for marriage requires that couples keep their eyes on Him at all times, so they can learn and grow in Him and in the faith. God’s plan for Adam and Eve was to have complete fellowship with Him in the garden of Eden and to have a direct line of communication between God and them. After the fall of Adam and Eve, the Lord sent His Son Jesus (the Bridegroom) to redeem the bride (the church) to himself. This is the reason marriage relationships are so important to God, and the same reason the sanctity of marriage is always under attack.

Once a person desires marriage, the first step is to seek God and determine what His plans and instructions are for your life. It’s important for you to petition God about how He wants you to proceed in accomplishing those tasks. God’s plans prevail over any plans we may have for ourselves. This is why it is so important that we seek God first. The Lord is with us every day and never leaves us. If we want to know what to do, we must pray, ask God to guide and direct us, and then wait for His answer. The Lord places angels on assignment to accomplish His will for His people. In order for the angels to be dispatched, prayer must first take place.

God’s Plans for Your Life

According to Jeremiah 29:11–13, the Lord has plans for our lives.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

God has determined and mapped out your destiny before you were even born. In fact, He knows what you will become and if it is His will for you to marry. The result of God’s marriage plans for us will always produce kingdom fruit. The seeds of marriage are planted in our hearts, and the fruit of marriage nourishes our soul. The fruit of marriage is the direct result of God’s desired and fulfilled destiny for His people.

God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and to multiply once He placed them together. That is still the mandate for us today; God and His Word have not changed. Out of the fruit of marriages come kings, princes, presidents, ministries, churches, nations, and communities. What an awesome plan from our Lord and Creator. He still reigns and has given us dominion over the earth from the beginning. If we try to do anything apart from Him, it will not be fruitful. God has already laid the foundation for marriage in His Word. In order to receive what God has for you, you must first lead a life that is pleasing to Him by obeying His will and serving Him.

Turn to God rather than relying on your will. He is faithful in all things and will go ahead of you and prepare you so that when the world’s system fails, you will be strong in Him. We were not created to follow the world’s course but to follow the Lord’s direction as it is laid out in His Holy Word. Take the time to stop, pray, and listen to what God is speaking to you about your life. You will be amazed at the results of a faithful, surrendered heart to God. Marriage is not something we should ever take lightly or for granted. It is one of the core foundations of God’s will for His people.

As you embark on your marriage journey, know that God has a strategic plan for you and your companion until He has completed the work that He has called you to do. And He requires your complete dependence on Him daily. God designed us in His own image, therefore He knows what is best for His people when it comes to a companion. God will lead us to the desires of our hearts if we will just trust in Him and lean not to our own understanding but rely in Him always. Have you ever considered that when it comes to marriage, God may have a better plan for you than you have for