#DailyDevotion God Apparently Thinks Men Need More Instruction Choosing A Wife

June 25th
Read Prov 31:10–31
Pro 31:10-12 ESV An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (12) She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Pro 31:17 ESV She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. Pro 31:25 ESV Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Pro 31:28-30 ESV Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (29) “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (30) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Sometimes it seems unfair that most of the time when the bible focuses on husbands and wives that most of the focus tends to be on the wife. Then again, maybe men just need more instruction. But the descriptions of the husband in this section are priceless most importantly is verse 11. The heart of her husband trust in her. If wives are to be excellent and meet their full potential as wives the husband needs to trust them. Why would you marry someone you didn’t trust (I’ll excuse arranged marriages for the moment). It is from this trust that the fruits of her labor follow.

Now the character of the wife is there in the above verses. She seeks to do him good and not harm. How different is that than the relationships we often see on tv commercials and sitcoms where the wife constantly bashes her husband. If the wife praises her husband will he not rise to the occasion?

Her inner strength is her dress. A strong woman cannot be hid by shabby looking clothes or meek clothes. Her bearing carries her. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She can be spotted in a crowd of thousands. She does not fear the future but laughs at it. She can do this because she trust the Lord our God to take care of her and her family.

She is praised by her husband and children. The praise of her husband no doubt continues to strengthen her to accomplish what she sets her mind to do. Her children’s blessings follow her.

So men if you don’t have a wife don’t be carried away by the charm and beauty of a woman when picking a wife. Look to her character for that is what you will live with for the rest of your life. Women you may want to do the same. Find a God fearing spouse.

But this also has to do with Christ and his Church. Jesus trusts the Church to do the work he has given her to do. The Church fears her Lord and Husband and goes about doing the good it was meant to do. We her children praise the Church for what Christ Jesus is doing through her. The Church is to fear the Lord in all her work trusting in Christ for the present and the future.

Lord Jesus Christ, help those who are yours to find God fearing spouses. May those who are already married conform themselves to your standards of husband and wife by the power of the Holy Spirit and may our marriages be reflection of your glory and the glory of your holy Church. Amen.