our lives, and is a powerful tool through which we change and grow:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In the 16th verse, God's Word is described as "profitable." We acknowledge that God's words bring life to us. Hebrews 4 says the Word is living and active. As we study and meditate on the Scriptures, we recognize that we have the capacity to become more like Jesus - in our thoughts and our actions. God's Word is powerful in the mind renewal process; He can help us change our thinking, so that we are dedicated to following Him wholeheartedly. He empowers us to walk in obedience as we absorb His principles.
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Psalm 119 points to the authority and power of God's Word. We can read in verse 11:
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!
The Psalmist continues - here are verses 15 and 16:
15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
The opening sentence of a recent article on The Daily Beast website goes like this:
During the court hearing, the judge asked Bundy, "Is she worth it?" Finding out the couple was not married, the judge delivered these words: "You know, as a part of my probation, you’re going to have to marry her…within 30 days?" The piece goes on to say that according to the TV report, Bundy was offered a choice between a more conventional 15-day jail sentence or marriage. He told the station that he would have actually preferred the jail time if the judge had allowed him to notify his employer but, when Rogers refused, he accepted the alternative sentence out of fear of losing his job.
According to public records obtained by The Daily Beast, the couple was married on July 20, 18 days after the hearing. The Smith County Courthouse told the website that Judge Rogers cannot comment on the case as legal action is still pending.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
The opening sentence of a recent article on The Daily Beast website goes like this:
People often joke that marriage is like a prison, but one Texas judge apparently believes that the two are actually interchangeable.That's a rather provocative sentence referencing a different sort of sentence - handed down by Smith County Judge Randall Rogers, who, according to a report from KLTV, referenced in the article, sentenced 21-year-old Josten Bundy, to marry his girlfriend, Elizabeth Jaynes, who is 19, within 30 days of his hearing in order to resolve an assault charge for punching her ex-boyfriend after the ex said “disrespectful things.” Judge Rogers also ordered Bundy to write down Bible verses and undergo counseling as part of his probation.
During the court hearing, the judge asked Bundy, "Is she worth it?" Finding out the couple was not married, the judge delivered these words: "You know, as a part of my probation, you’re going to have to marry her…within 30 days?" The piece goes on to say that according to the TV report, Bundy was offered a choice between a more conventional 15-day jail sentence or marriage. He told the station that he would have actually preferred the jail time if the judge had allowed him to notify his employer but, when Rogers refused, he accepted the alternative sentence out of fear of losing his job.
According to public records obtained by The Daily Beast, the couple was married on July 20, 18 days after the hearing. The Smith County Courthouse told the website that Judge Rogers cannot comment on the case as legal action is still pending.
Justin and Elizabeth had discussed marriage in the past but neither planned for it to happen under court order.
Attorney Blake Bailey, who practices constitutional law, said an order to marry is not legal.
“To say you're not going to be criminally punished if you get married is way out of left field,” said Bailey. “It sounds like the old days of shotgun weddings, but not even the judge is capable of enforcing, what he thinks is best for some people in his court.”
Bundy and Jaynes say they do not at all regret getting married, but they do regret not being able to plan or have control over their special day. But, they do plan to have a larger wedding ceremony when they get the money.
Attorney Blake Bailey, who practices constitutional law, said an order to marry is not legal.
“To say you're not going to be criminally punished if you get married is way out of left field,” said Bailey. “It sounds like the old days of shotgun weddings, but not even the judge is capable of enforcing, what he thinks is best for some people in his court.”
Bundy and Jaynes say they do not at all regret getting married, but they do regret not being able to plan or have control over their special day. But, they do plan to have a larger wedding ceremony when they get the money.
I admit, this is a bit odd, but I can only speculate that that judge thought that this couple would be better off married. And, he obviously has a respect for the Word of God. I would note that the Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. They're married now, and you have to hope that despite the rough start, they could settle down and enjoy their marriage relationship.
I'm not defending the judge, but I do think there are some points to ponder here:
Number 1, the bonds of matrimony can have a stabilizing effect on two people who pledge their lives to one another. No, marriage is not a prison, but a sacred institution ordained by God. And, marriage dramatically affects the lives of the two people involved, and the sanctity of marriage can have a profound effect on our culture.
Also, I believe this judge believed that the Biblical aspect was important - as part of his probation, he was sentenced to write down Bible verses. Again, not to justify what the judge did, but I am reminded how God's Word can transform those who have committed crimes. People who are in prison can experience spiritual freedom through the transformative power of the Bible. There are Christ-centered programs that reach out to prisoners, such as the Prison Fellowship model and other prison ministries, can result in more stable and fulfilling lives, reducing the chance of those who are incarcerated returning to prison.
Finally, we recognize that sometimes we all need a wake-up call. That certainly was the case for the Bundys. There may be an area that we have played around with, waffling on a decision, or caught up in errant behavior - we may need a Holy Spirit push to get in the right direction, and perhaps God will intervene in our lives to set us on the right course. We can be thankful for God's love and faithfulness as He calls to us, but we have to be willing to change as He indicates the issues where we are missing the mark.
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