"Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." - Proverbs 19:14

Many single-and-longing-to-marry men and women ask different questions about marriage. They ask things like "when's the right time to marry" or "how do I know who to marry?"

And when the longing remains unfulfilled, they ask the dreaded: "will I ever marry?"

Singles may ask all the questions they have in their minds when it comes to marriage, but in reality there's only one question that needs to be asked:

"Is it God's will for me to marry this person?"

Knowing if God has given you someone to marry

The Bible tells us that our parents can pass on a huge inheritance to us, but only God can give us a spouse that is perfect for us. While our parents can give us precious guidance as to who to marry, God is the one who gives us the right person to marry.

Not just someone good, or kind, or beautiful. That person is all of that, and more.

But how do you know if God has given you someone to marry? Here are a few things to consider.

1) God will not withhold what is good for you

First, you've got to realize that God is good, and in His goodness He will not withhold what is good for you. You can be assured that He has prepared the best for you.

Psalm 84:11 tells us,

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

If you feel like God is not giving you what you ask for, realize that He's only keeping you away from harm and what's not good for you (see James 4:3). He will surely give you what's best for you.

2) You've got to pursue God

If you want God's best, then you've got to pursue God. Why is that?

It's because He's the best for you, not a spouse.

If you want to receive God's best for you, you've got to believe that He has it in store for you, and that He wants to give it to you. Then you've got to pursue Him in faith. Hebrews 11:6 says,

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

3) You've got to grow up

Friends, if you want to marry, then you've got to prepare for it. You can't rush into marriage thinking that "if I get married I'll be happy," only to find out that marriage won't be a walk in the park always.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul tells us,

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

If you want to marry, then prepare yourself for marriage. Grow up and be mature. Go deeper into the Lord. Ready yourself for the responsibilities that marriage brings.