After ten almost eleven years, it is encouraging to hear my husband praise me that I am a good, godly wife for him. He shares often that he is blessed by me and that I am a gift from God. As my husband has grown in the Lord, he knows that I am a gift from the Lord not from his own "choosing". I believe I slip from being "good" for him to harmful" when I take my eyes off Jesus and expect things from my husband that the Lord wants to fill in his own way and time. I see now that I am to be a gift from the Lord and to bring my husband good. We have learned and grown from one another through many tough times. Many would think we are an unlikely pair but our God has continued His faithfulness to bring us to one mind, one heart and one accord in Him for His Glory.
Scripture(s):
Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:14 - House and riches are the inheritance from fathers but a wise, understanding and prudent wife is from the Lord.
Observation(s):
1. A wife is a good gift from the Lord
2. God shows his goodness and favor when he gives a good wife
3. A good wife is to be wise
4. A good wife is to be understanding
5. A good wife is to be prudent
6. A wise, understanding, and prudent wife is not passed down from parents but given by the Lord
Definitions:
prudent - wise in handling practical matters, exercising good judgment, careful about one's conduct.
ezer - help; kenegdo - meet
The Hebrew expression ezer kenegdo appears, meaning "one who is the same as the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports."
Application: I have read in God's word today that I am to behave well toward husband in the way I conduct myself with prudence, wisely manage the household, be understanding in my conduct as I raise our son for the Lord and be a Godly wife. I have sometimes been an opponent rather than a good helpmeet to my husband. Many times, I have wanted to be right or express my opinion rather than exercising good judgment/prudence in what I am speaking and how I am speaking it. Many times, I have just wanted my husband to change that moment rather than waiting on the Lord. I have expected from my husband rather than what Psalm 62:5 says which is "My soul waits in silence for God only. For my expectation is from Him." I continue to talk, tell my side, have my "court case" written out and argued as I continue to strive to have expectations met by my husband. The Lord has brought Psalm 62:5 to me many times.
In order to be a wise, understanding and prudent wife, God is teaching me to wait on Him and to have my expectations met my him. The words from the great hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus say
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Moment by moment, God's grace turns my eyes to him so that he makes me and molds me into the good helpmeet I am to be to my husband. If I am a gift from God to my husband, then I need to look to Him for my strength, wisdom, understanding and direction on prudence.
Prayer:
Father, the giver of every good and perfect gift, I thank you that you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Your word stands as true. Thank you that in order to be wise, understanding and prudent, I need to rely on you and do what you say. I am sorry for the times that I have expected from my husband rather than you. I am sorry that I had bitter envy and selfishness when I didn't get my way. Please forgive me for not trusting in your goodness but demanding and striving to accomplish what I think is best. Thank you that you have continued to direct my path to be a good helpmeet to my husband. I thank you that my husband found me and sees me as a treasure and a good gift from you. I thank you that I can rest in my husband choosing me because he saw your goodness and He now gives you the glory for giving me as a good wife to him. Lord, thank you for all the grace and forgiveness for the many times I have not been a good helpmeet. Thank you that you put those times under the blood of Jesus and remember them no more. Thank you that you continue to grow me in the soil of your goodness and godliness. Praise you from whom all blessings flow.
Prayer:
Father, the giver of every good and perfect gift, I thank you that you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Your word stands as true. Thank you that in order to be wise, understanding and prudent, I need to rely on you and do what you say. I am sorry for the times that I have expected from my husband rather than you. I am sorry that I had bitter envy and selfishness when I didn't get my way. Please forgive me for not trusting in your goodness but demanding and striving to accomplish what I think is best. Thank you that you have continued to direct my path to be a good helpmeet to my husband. I thank you that my husband found me and sees me as a treasure and a good gift from you. I thank you that I can rest in my husband choosing me because he saw your goodness and He now gives you the glory for giving me as a good wife to him. Lord, thank you for all the grace and forgiveness for the many times I have not been a good helpmeet. Thank you that you put those times under the blood of Jesus and remember them no more. Thank you that you continue to grow me in the soil of your goodness and godliness. Praise you from whom all blessings flow.
