In Sickness and in Health

Episode 13

Hello, and welcome to In the Lighthouse: your safe harbor from the storm. This is Daphne Collins, your Lighthouse Keeper and host for our time together. In our last episode, the discussion of marriage was center stage, and the bonding agent to the marriage is the spoken vow. Today, we will continue with our discussion of marriage and take a closer look at another example of the importance of the marital vow. Why is there a necessity for giving a vow? What is its origin? A vow is a promise – a pledge to uphold a covenant, which has its origins in the creation of our biblical history. Indeed, the first covenant of humanity with God was marriage. The ancient feudal understanding of this type of relationship is that it depicts the vow made by the vassal (servant) to the suzerain (lord) in exchange for his protection. When a man and woman marry, by faith they enter into a covenant with God as “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24) and hold to Christ as the center of their marital lives in fellowship with the church. In so doing, the foundation upon which they build their marriage and how it will stand, by faith, is a godly one. When the storms come – and they will – this godly foundation will withstand the challenges from all sides. Many couples have recited their vows in the presence of family and friends and made a promise to support one another in all situations, and not to forsake their partner if the going gets tough. This is a strong promise and one that God will judge according to its veracity.

This episode is entitled, In Sickness and in Health, and our guests here In the Lighthouse are Alan and Janet, a couple who have weathered the storms of life together through all manner of turbulence.  Promises made and kept by a trustworthy partner are those that are highly valued. They supply comfort to the suffering soul, knowing that as the dawn breaks, their morning star is still with them. When a debilitating illness affects the family, how will God show his glory? Alan and Janet will tell us their story, and how God displayed his marvelous grace. Okay, let’s get started!

Genesis 2:24 (NASB) says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” to demonstrate the ordinance set forth in the marriage covenant made before God. They are to rely on one another in all things. The mystery (and difficulty) of this type of union implies sacrificial responsibility – putting your spouse’s needs before your own. The Apostle Paul exhorts men, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25-28 ESV). Likewise, women are to uphold their sacrificial responsibility in the marital covenant when they “submit” to the care of their husbands “as to the Lord” because the greater responsibility has been placed upon the husband by the Lord. Alan and Janet learned and matured as a couple in the application of this difficult but necessary ingredient for a lasting marriage. The testing of a bonded relationship amid the turbulence of sustained illness can have devastating effects if it is not grounded in faith. We will now hear how Alan and Janet have remained grounded in their love for one another In Sickness and in Health.

Some parts of what is spoken may not be suitable for certain audiences, therefore, I caution adults and parents to use discretion with their young ones when listening to this episode. 

Show Notes

Opening Theme: Going For Gold

Introductory Theme: Emotion by Tonydrumer

Transition Theme: Romantic Piano by Tonydrumer

Conclusion Theme: Inspirational Piano by alexbird

Transcript of “In Sickness and in Health” by Daphne Collins

Transcript of “Doctrine vs. Saving Faith ” by Laine Wilder