Although a marriage is by the mutual consent of two people, it is much more than a contract. Since God created Adam and Eve, it has been the foundation of civilization and the bedrock of any successful society. That is why an understanding of the Biblical covenant is so important.
The Hebrew word berith, found in the Old Testament, literally means to cut a covanant. It comes from an ancient ritual of cutting a sacrifice in half and two people waking between them in agreement. One of my favorite passages is Genesis 15, where God covenanted with Abram, telling him to divide three animals. Abram followed God’s instructions and waited until it was dark, and he fell asleep. In the darkness, God passed between the sacrifices alone, showing that God alone sealed the covenant and rendered it unbreakable.
The Covenant of Redemption was made between the three persons of the Godhead before the foundation of the world. It simply means that God planned to save sinners, but it is accomplished by the work of Christ alone.
The success of every Biblical covenant was due to God’s faithfulness. But this does not negate responsibility in any way whatsoever. It rather enhances responsibility. This is why the word covenant is so appropos to marriage.
You are about to enter into an covenant with God and each other. While you will divide the sacrifice together and pledge yourselves to each other, it is God alone who will seal the covenant and render it unbreakable.
May He bless you and keep you together the rest of your lives.