Greater Joy TWOgetherSample

Side by Side

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

The Hebrew word for “helper” in Genesis 2:18 is ezer, which means “one who helps.” It refers to someone who comes alongside to offer assistance. In fact, it is the same word used in Psalms 33, 70, and 115 to refer to God. He is your helper in times of trouble, your helper in times of difficulty.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me. (Psalm 70:1)

All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. (Psalm 115:9)

When God created woman in Genesis 2:20-22, he did not take a bone from Adam’s head, implying that the woman should rule over man. He did not take a bone out of Adam’s foot, implying that the man should rule over the woman. He took a bone from Adam’s side. Husband and wife walk side by side through both the garden and life together. Through every blessing, challenge, opportunity, and storm, they have each other.

You are the CEO of your life; your spouse is not. You are responsible to God alone for how you live your life.

God gave you a spouse to come alongside you and to give assistance. He did not give you a spouse as a replacement for himself. We get to be helpers. We offer love, honor, encouragement, and support to each other.

God’s plan for your marriage is for you to spend your lifetime helping and serving each other, side by side.

Lord, you brought Eve to Adam for the first wedding. You designed marriage for a husband and wife to walk side by side through the grind of life. We will celebrate and honor our differences as we walk together. We will call out the good work the other is doing and ask for ways we can help. Thank you for being our perfect helper. May we glorify you through our marriage and service to each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This plan is presented to you by Greater Joy TWOgether by Ted Cunningham. To learn more about this book, please click here.