“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”‬‬

At least until things get hard. Seriously, how many relationships and marriages begin with declarations of deep, long-lasting love, only to disappear during hard times? Over the years, I have performed a number of marriages. In the premarital counseling I include conversations about many of the potential challenges ahead for the couple. We spend significant time discussing the common stressors and hardships that most marriages must weather at certain points. I do this not to be negative or to dim their bright light of love. If anything, it’s to bring a depth of commitment and a recognition of the need for sacrifice—both of which are essential to reaching a place of real, faithful, and unfailing love. The vows always include: “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part.” Couples leap at the words, giving one another great assurance of the truth in that vow. Thankfully, the marriages I’ve performed are well above the 50% survival rate, compared to the current average of couples who end up divorced. But I’m certainly not batting 1.000. The Pulpit Commentary says of the phrase “a faithful person”: “The faithfulness intended is fidelity to promises—the practical execution of the vaunted benevolence; this is rare indeed…” Solomon’s father, David, wrote that all men are liars. This verse highlights the contrast between making a promise and actually performing it. Who wouldn’t take the latter over the former Today, be faithful in everything. #BeTheEdge

“in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”” Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬