The first blessing God pronounced on the man He created was that of fruitfulness. When God created man in His image and likeness, He deposited in him the power and ability to reproduce. Our God is result-oriented. He commanded man to be fruitful because He had already invested His nature and potential in him. As a good and loving Father, God also made provision for everything man would need to be fruitful: Spiritual fruitfulness – Genesis 2:7 Material fruitfulness – Genesis 2:8-9 Financial fruitfulness – Genesis 2:11-12 Intellectual fruitfulness – Genesis 2:19 Covenant blessings – Leviticus 7:13-14 Sadly, the man God created was not obedient. After being driven out of Eden and following the destruction of the world by the flood, God began to seek a personal, one-on-one relationship with mankind. He searched for men and women willing to walk with Him and obey His commands (Leviticus 26:9). That’s why we see Him entering into covenant with individuals like Noah (Genesis 9:1), Abraham (Genesis 17:6), Isaac, and Jacob. Our ability to bear quality fruit is tied to whom we are connected to (John 15:4). The fruit we bear in our lives and homes depends on the root of our relationship with God (Luke 6:43-45). When we bear fruit, God is glorified (John 15:8). Fruitfulness goes beyond childbearing. Imagine having children but lacking the means to care for them—that leads to frustration. Fruitfulness is a reward for labour, but we can either labour in our strength or align with the One who knows the way (Colossians 1:9-10). HOW TO ATTRACT GOD’S FAVOUR FOR MARITAL FRUITFULNESS 1. Serve God wholeheartedly and obey divine instruction – Exodus 23:25-28, Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 22:37, Joshua 24:15, Leviticus 26:3-4, 25:18-19 2. Honour your father and mother – Ephesians 6:2-3, 1 Timothy 5:4, Proverbs 20:20, 23:22, Leviticus 19:32 3. Honour God’s servants – Ezekiel 44:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 2 Kings 4:8-37, 2 Kings 2:23-24 4. Show brotherly love – Hebrews 13:1-2 5. Honour your marriage – Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:1-5, 7, Malachi 2:14 As Theodore Hesburgh wisely said, “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” The fruit we bear in our lives and homes depends on the root of our relationship with God. May your life produce the kind of result that will give glory to God in Jesus Name. #MarriageMatters #FaithAndLove #KingdomMarriage #DailyDevotional #GodlyUnion #Back2Eden #asitwasinthebeginning #thefathersproject Adebimpe Obafemi