ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna – God’s Unchangeable Standard
Saturday, July 25, 2026
KEY VERSE
“And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
Bible Reading:
Matthew 19:1-12 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
MESSAGE
More and more people seem to forget Henry Ford’s wise advice when asked on his 50th wedding anniversary for his rule for marital bliss and longevity. He replied: “Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model.”
From our text, Christ’s teaching about divorce and remarriage is explicit. Moses gave permission for divorce, not because it was so from the beginning but due to the people’s hardness of heart. Jesus insisted that in the sight of God, marriage is a lifetime relationship that should never be severed by human action. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). His perfect will is the preservation of future generations and society through lasting marriages. God will give anyone great help in sustaining a marriage relationship or reconciling estranged marriage partners. Christ’s exception for ‘fornication’ in our text covers unfaithfulness before the actual marriage is contracted.
The experiences of couples who went through divorce are not encouraging. A study of divorced couples with preschool children shows that after a year of divorce, 60% of men and 73% of women feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder to make their marriage work. People have no idea how much anguish and stress is caused by divorce. This is a lesson to our godly fathers and mothers. They must ensure their children marry in the Lord. Friendship with ungodly families is like sowing the seeds of corruption in your own family. This unholy union of our sons and daughters with unbelieving spouses has introduced corruption in our families and churches.
Our role models are not the pop singers, film stars and fashion models who seem to change marriage partners like they change their robes. People may hold whatever views they want on divorce, but God, who is the Judge of the whole world has already spoken His mind in Scriptures. God’s standard on marriage remains unchangeable even in this changeable world. Allow love and forgiveness to reign in your home.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In the divine charter, there is no provision for divorce
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Exodus 30-32
COMMENTARY
1. God’s Original Design for Marriage – Jesus points back to creation to establish God’s standard: marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. God’s intention from the beginning was permanence and unity. What God has joined together, no human should separate.
2. Moses’ Concession and Hardness of Heart – The Pharisees pointed to Moses’ law permitting divorce. Jesus explained that this was a concession due to human hardness of heart, not God’s ideal. This teaches us that God’s standard is higher than human compromise. We are called to live by His perfect will, not the lowest permissible option.
3. God Hates Divorce – The devotional cites Malachi 2:16: God hates divorce. This is not a statement of anger but of grief. Divorce brings pain, brokenness, and suffering to all involved. God’s heart is for healing and restoration. He desires to help couples reconcile and sustain their marriages.
4. The Realities of Divorce – The devotional cites sobering statistics: the majority of divorced couples regret their decision and wish they had tried harder. This challenges the romanticized view of divorce as a solution. Divorce often creates more problems than it solves, leaving a trail of emotional and spiritual devastation.
5. Marriage in the Lord – The devotional warns against unequal yoking. Friendship with ungodly families and marriage to unbelievers bring corruption into homes and churches. Parents are encouraged to guide their children toward marriages that honor God.
6. The DCLM Ministry’s Stand on Marriage – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry upholds the biblical standard of lifelong, faithful marriage. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that divorce is contrary to God’s will and that couples should seek reconciliation and forgiveness. The Daily Manna devotional calls believers to build homes that reflect God’s love and faithfulness.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and upholding God’s standards in every area of life, including marriage.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to honor God’s unchangeable standards in a changing world.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, help me to honor Your unchangeable standard for marriage. If I am married, help me to love and cleave to my spouse for life. If I am preparing for marriage, guide me to choose a godly partner. Heal every broken relationship and give me the grace to forgive and seek reconciliation. May my home reflect Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
