Day 5: God Loves You, Even If You’re Divorced - He Calls You Beloved

Day 5: God Loves You, Even If You’re Divorced

“For I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:16 (NLT)

Divorce statistics are staggering, which is heartbreaking, for two primary reasons.

Reason one: Scripture confirms that every marriage is a covenant made before God and is meant to be kept (Matthew 19:6).

Reason two: Despite the reason a marriage fell apart, many people often believe God hates divorced people. And that is simply not true.

For circumstances beyond my control, I found myself divorced almost four years ago. I struggled with the same thoughts so many divorced men and women struggle with like, Will God turn His back on me if I’m divorced? Doesn’t God hate people who get divorced? Can I still serve the Lord at church or in ministry as a divorced person? Do I have to live with a big scarlet letter D on my chest and feel ashamed forever?

The answer to every one of these questions is absolutely not.

God does not hate people who are divorced; instead, He hates the ramifications divorce brings on His beloved children.

In Malachi 2:16 we read, “‘I hate divorce!’ says the Lord, the God of Israel.” This is the verse believers often misinterpret to mean if one gets divorced, then they are hated by God, because all too often the next part of the verse is overlooked: “‘To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. ‘So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.’”

This verse actually applies to both husbands and wives because cruelty in any form from either party breaks God’s heart. You see, God simply hates what divorce stands for and knows it causes extensive problems, pain, and suffering for all involved. Our Heavenly Father loves us and doesn’t want any of his children to endure emotional cruelty or suffering in any form. He stays close to us when we are brokenhearted, but he hates how divorce brings in heartbreak.

Although God doesn’t condone divorce and prefers couples try to work things out unless there are biblically supported reasons for pursuing divorce or if abuse is taking place, this verse doesn’t imply in any way that God hates the people involved in a divorce regardless of the reason it happened. He is a forgiving and loving God in all circumstances and loves his daughters and sons no matter what.

He only hates divorce because it destroys people emotionally, physically, psychologically, economically, sometimes even spiritually, and also because it tears apart families.

Divorce hurts. God hurts when we hurt. What God hates is not the people involved in a divorce, but the pain divorce brings and the agony his children go through in the process.

Yet his love is unconditional.

God loves you, whatever your marital situation, sins, or failures may be. You still have purpose in life and you still have a lot of life to live. He has good plans for you and is calling you to live life to the fullest no matter what life has thrown at you. Don’t ever doubt these truths, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Put your faith in the biblical truth that God will never leave you even if your spouse did (Heb. 13:5). He will also never leave you even if you left your spouse. My friend, you are loved, no matter what.

Lord, thank you for your love which has no strings attached and is not linked to our marital status, sins or failures. Help me never forget how much you love me and to intentionally love those who so need to know they are still loved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

From the Book: