The Divine Idea

“The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 
Genesis 2:18 (NIV)     

The most nervous I had ever been in my life was the day I was about to say two words that I knew would change everything. 

Looking into the eyes of the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, having known her only six months, I said, “I do.” At that moment, the word “marriage” took on a whole different meaning, from the hypothetical to the actual, and from the abstract to the concrete. I knew things just got real!

In today’s verse, you read in the very beginning of the Bible four words that had never been spoken: “It is not good.” “The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). This wasn’t because God made a mistake or there was dirt on the carpet. 

God’s creation wasn’t imperfect, but it was incomplete. 

Notice that God didn’t say Adam felt lonely—he had perfect communion with God after all. But God knows what we need better than we do, even when we think everything is fine. Adam needed a helper. 

Now, the English word “helper” can be misleading. The Hebrew word ezer is actually a military term referring to a “defender” or “protector,” and it’s used 11 out of 15 times in Scripture to describe God Himself. There’s nothing inferior about this helper. She makes up for what might be lacking in strength. 

Adam didn’t imagine marriage; God did. Creating a mate for Adam was God’s idea, not Adam’s. That means God can help you respect what He designed.

Maybe your spouse frustrated you this week by leaving dishes in the sink, forgetting to text, or making different parenting choices. Stop before you criticize. Pray silently: 'God, you created this person as my ezer, my defender. Help me see their strength, not just their differences.' 

Then choose one thing they did today and thank them specifically: “I noticed you handled that situation well. Thank you.” Then you’re not treating marriage as a burden to bear but as God’s idea to be honored.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the gift of marriage. I confess that sometimes in my heart, my home, and in the world, marriage doesn’t seem like a gift. But I want to embrace the gifts You have for us. Help me see the truth in Your Word, and honor marriage at every opportunity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.