Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef
March 13, 2026
Marriage: It Was God’s Idea
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
I think God must love weddings. Consider this: Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding by turning water into wine (see John 2:1-11). At the beginning of history, the first man wed the first woman when God presented Eve to Adam (see Genesis 2:21-24). And at the end of history, there will be the wedding feast of the Lamb when Christ and His bride, the Church, are joined together forever (see Revelation 19:6-9).
Read Genesis 2:21-24. If God loves weddings, just imagine His feelings toward marriage. For a wedding is only a beginning, but the marriage that follows lasts a lifetime. God instituted marriage before there was sin in the world. It was part of His good and perfect plan for humanity, meant to reflect His relationship to His Church (see Ephesians 5:29-32).
A creative force, marriage produces families, homes, and ultimately whole societies. If you want to see where a culture is heading, just look to its marital relationships. Are husbands and wives committed to their relationship? Or is divorce all too common? Is there an effort to redefine marriage? Is God’s original design for families being twisted and destroyed? A culture that treats marriage like this cannot last.
Ultimately, marriage is one of the means at God’s disposal to make us more like Him. It is God’s intention that husbands and wives grow more like Christ as they grow closer to one another. Of course, this isn’t easy; there are challenges in every marriage. That’s why our wedding vows talk about richer and poorer, sickness and health. Add to the mix our own sinfulness, and you’ll understand why I say that my marriage has only lasted because of the grace of God—and the grace of my wife.
I believe there are three foundational stones to a fulfilling relationship: selflessness, forgiveness, and conversation. You’ll find that in any marriage, any problem—or any potential problem—has at its source a lack of one of these three things.
In the following days, we’ll take a look at each of these to reveal how to have a marriage crafted according to God’s design—a masterpiece that brings beauty and strength to the world and glory to God.
Prayer: Father, as I consider the foundational stones to a fulfilling relationship, empower me to put them into practice for the good of my family and community. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Marriage should be honored by all, . . .” (Hebrews 13:4).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Crafted: Marriage God’s Way, The Selfless Foundation of Marriage: LISTEN NOW
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Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through every available form of media, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives around the world.
What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ, including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Dr. Youssef's Biblically-based programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. His books, MY Journal magazine, and daily e-devotionals continue to minister to a global audience. Leading The Way utilizes cutting-edge technology to advance the Gospel. Its solar-powered Navigators are reaching into remote villages, and the ministry's KINGDOM SAT TV channel—launched by Dr. Youssef in 2009—is reaching into the Middle East with programming in English, Arabic, and French. Field Teams follow up with viewers, including those in restricted areas, to lead the lost to Christ, disciple new believers, and support the underground Church.
Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way team are committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus with the lost and equipping believers to grow in Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.
About Dr. Michael Youssef
Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground teams. His Biblically-based teaching programs are broadcast more than 18,000 times per week in multiple languages around the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, and founder of the AWAKE America prayer movement.
Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds theological degrees from Moore College and Fuller Theological Seminary and a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Life-Changing Prayers, Is the End Near?, How to Read the Bible, Heaven Awaits, and God’s Final Call. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 15 grandchildren.
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