ODB: A Marriage Observed
August 22, 2026
READ: Ephesians 4:26-32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other. Ephesians 4:32
Of all United States presidents, Jimmy Carter had the longest marriage. He and his wife Rosalyn were married for seventy-seven years. When Carter was asked the secret to his long, successful marriage, he replied, “Choose the right person to marry.” Beyond that, he named three other concepts for marital success: reconciliation, communication, and devotion to faith.
We see the idea of reconciliation in Ephesians 4:26: “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” The Carters took this seriously. “Every night, we try to make sure we’re completely reconciled from all the arguments during the day,” Jimmy once said. We can also see the secret to Christlike communication in Ephesians 4. Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32).
God ordained marriage as something good—something established by Him (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). Proverbs 18:22 says that marriage is a divine blessing: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the
— Dave Branon
How can God help you reflect Christ in your relationships? What does it mean to be compassionate and forgiving today?
Dear Jesus, please help me to compassionately forgive others and point them to You.
Source: Our Daily Bread
