Marry "Only in the Lord" Still Realistic?

WHILE WAITING ON JEHOVAH

What can you do while you trust in Jehovah's counsel and wait for a husband or a wife who serves him? You can think about why you are not married. If you feel that it is because you want to obey Jehovah's command, then you can be sure that this makes Jehovah happy. (1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 27:11) Also, continue to pray to Jehovah regularly and tell him exactly how you feel.  (Psalm 62:8) As you do your best  to resist temptation and fight wrong desires, your relationship  with Jehovah will be strengthened day by day. You can be confident that Jehovah  cares about your desires and your needs because you are precious to him.  He does promise anyone a husband or a wife. But if marriage is what you really need, Jehovah knows the best way to satisfy your needs. -Psalm 145:16; Matthew 6:32.

At times you may feel like David who said:  "Do answer me quickly, O Jehovah; my strength has come to an end. Do not hide your face from me." (Psalm 143: 5-7, 10)  Do not give up. Give Jehovah time to show you what he wants you to do. Listen to Jehovah by reading the Bible and meditating on  what you have read. This will help you know  what Jehovah  requires of you and how he has helped his servants  in the past.  By listening to him, you have the confidence to keep obeying him.  

What else  can you do to remain happy and busy while you are single? You can work on strengthening your relationship with Jehovah and developing a good reputation. You can also learn to be generous, hardworking, easy to get along with, and  loyal to Jehovah.  These qualities are necessary for a happy marriage.  (Genesis 24"16-21; Ruth 1:16,17; 2:6, 7, 11; Proverbs 31:10-27)  Seek first the Kingdom by staying busy in the ministry and in your congregation.  These things will protect you from making unwise decisions.  Bill says of the years he was single:  "They passed so quickly!  I used the time in Jehovah's service as a pioneer." 

Jehovah's command to marry "only in the Lord" is not old-fashioned or out-of-date.  By choosing to marry a true Christian, we honor Jehovah and we will be happy.  The Bible says:  "Happy is the man who fears Jehovah, who takes great pleasure in his commandments. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness continues forever." (Psalm 112: 1, 3) So be determined to obey God's command to marry "only in the Lord."

Next time: A SURPRISE GIFT FOR JAPAN

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015