You.

When I found the one my heart loved, I held him and would not let him go. Song of Solomon three, verse four. This is what real love does. It holds on and will not let go. There's a program that airs on some radio stations across the country that uses the tagline, remember, marriage is for better, for worse and for keeps. What a timely reminder, especially as Valentine's Day nears. Sadly, a lot of couples these days have watered down the traditional wedding vows, making careful effort to omit the words till death do us part from the ceremony. Marriage is one of the victims of the throwaway culture in which we live and is often entered by couples who do not take the everlasting wedding vows seriously. When things get difficult, couples simply split up and go their separate ways. But love is for keeps, and couples should fight to the death for each other and for their marriage. They should hold on and never let go. In every wedding ceremony at which I've been privileged to officiate, I have told a couple standing before me and a host of witnesses that nothing and no one must ever be allowed to come between them. They are to hold on to each other and never let go. Marriage is a sacred relationship. It is sacred because it is to be a reflection of the relationship that God has with his people, a relationship held together by a love that will not let go. The hymn o love that will not let me go, written by George Matheson in 1852, comes to mind. It refers to Christ's love for us, but the idea expressed should also apply to the marriage relationship. Matheson wrote, o love that will not let me go I rest my weary soul in thee. I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. This is indeed what real love does it does not let go.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.