Comfort of God's Presence in Difficult Marriages

Marriage was instituted in Paradise before the fall of humanity, with its original charter found in Genesis 2:18-24, a foundation confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-5 ^[1]. The Bible presents marriage as a divine institution, a covenant relationship designed for human happiness, the propagation of humanity, and the raising of godly offspring ^[5]. It is to be held in honor among all, with the marriage bed undefiled ^[4]. However, even within this divinely ordained institution, difficulties can arise, leading individuals to seek comfort in God's presence.

The Scriptures consistently portray God as a source of comfort for the afflicted. He is described as being with those who suffer ^[6], a refuge and strength in times of trouble ^[6]. For those experiencing distress in marriage, the comfort of God's presence can be a profound solace. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God comforting His people "as one whom his mother comforteth" ^[11]. This imagery suggests a deep, tender, and personal comfort that God provides. The Apostle Paul also highlights God as the "God of all comfort" who comforts believers in all their tribulation ^[6].

In difficult marital situations, prayer is presented as a means to seek divine comfort and support. The Bible exhorts individuals to pray under affliction ^[7]. Such prayers can include asking God to consider one's trouble, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, and for deliverance ^[7]. The psalmist found comfort in God's word during affliction, noting, "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me" ^[10]. This suggests that engaging with Scripture can be a source of comfort and spiritual revitalization when facing marital challenges.

The presence of God is not merely a distant concept but an active reality for believers. John Gill, commenting on Zephaniah 3:17, describes Christ as being "in the midst of" His people, providing support, supply, assistance, strength, protection, and defense ^[8]. This "gracious presence" is peculiar to His church and people, offering encouragement against fears and faintings ^[8]. For those in difficult marriages, the awareness of Christ's active presence can be a significant source of strength and comfort.

While marriage is intended to be a loving union where hearts are knit together in love ^[2], the reality of human sinfulness can lead to hardship. Jesus acknowledged that divorce was permitted in the Mosaic Law as a concession to "hard hearts," but He emphasized God's original will for marriage as a permanent union where "two become one" ^[9]. Even in such challenging circumstances, God's character as a comforter remains steadfast. He is a "father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows" in His holy dwelling ^[3], demonstrating His care for those in vulnerable positions. The expectation of God's comfort is not limited to specific types of affliction but extends to all who are distressed ^[6].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
King James Version “[KJV] Colossians 2:2 — That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
Psalms “Psalms 68:5 (LITV) — In His holy dwelling God is a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows.”
Hebrews “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. -- Hebrews 13:4”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty Every word carries in it something very encouraging to the church and people of God; and is an antidote against those fears and faintings they are subject to; Christ "is in the midst of" them; near at hand to support and supply them, to assist and strengthen them, to protect and defend them; he is not only near by his essential presence, which is everywhere; and by his providential presence, which is concerned with all his creatures; but by his gracious presence, peculiar to his church and people; and which gives th”
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:5: 10:5-9 God permitted divorce as a concession to the hard hearts of the people. But God’s will is more aptly expressed in the passages that Jesus quotes from the law of Moses (Gen 1:27; 2:23-24; see also Mal 2:16). Jesus shows that God delights in marriage, which is the creation of a new union in which two become one. No one should rebel against God’s will by seeking to split apart what God has united.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:48: This is my comfort in my affliction,.... David had his afflictions, and so has every good man; none are without; it is the will and pleasure of God that so it should be; and many are their afflictions, inward and outward: the word of God is often their comfort under them, the written word, heard or read; and especially a word of promise, powerfully applied: this is putting underneath everlasting arms, and making their bed in sickness. This either respects what goes before, concerning the word of promise hoped in, or what follows: for thy word hath quickened me; no”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:13: As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you,.... Though ordinances are means, and ministers are instruments of comfort, God is the sole efficient cause of it; and very wonderful it is that he should condescend to administer it, since he is an immense and infinite Being, the high and lofty One, possessed of all perfections, and yet deigns to revive the spirit of the humble and contrite; since he is the Maker of heaven and earth, and all things, and those he comforts are dust and ashes; and especially since they have sinned against him, and rendered themse”

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