the marriage decision
"Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!" —Tobit 7:11
In our Western culture, there are matchmaking services, ads for singles, and "reality" TV shows for bachelors and bachelorettes battling for a mate. God's word teaches differently. Ponder these words: "Are you free of a wife [or husband]? If so, do not go in search of one" (1 Cor 7:27). This passage does not say to never get married. What it advises is not to take the marriage decision into our own hands. We are to seek the kingdom of God rather than a mate (Mt 6:33). We seek to spend ourselves in His service and in trust allow Him to bring our future spouse into our lives in His time.
If God has "decided" (Tb 7:11) that you are to have a married vocation, then He has already "decided" on a mate who is custom-made for you, hand-picked by your Creator. God decided Tobiah and Sarah should be married (Tb 7:11). Rather than feeling impersonally manipulated like a pawn, Tobiah "fell deeply in love with her" (Tb 6:18; see also Gn 2:23). "The love of God" was "poured out in [their] hearts" (Rm 5:5).
There is no better decision than that made by God in the heavenly court. "God is Love" (1 Jn 4:8). What more loving marriage could be found than one created and decided upon by Love Himself? Those joined together by God's decision can forever say with confidence: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rm 8:31) Allow God to decide on your marriage in His time. May you hear the Lord tell you: "She is yours...Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!...From now on, you are her love, and she is your beloved. She is yours today and ever after" (Tb 7:11).
Prayer: Father, into Your hands I place my future. I trust in You.
Promise: "Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways." —Ps 128:1
Praise: Sts. Marcellinus and Peter gave the ultimate gift of love, their own martyrdom, to their Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 20, 2004
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