God has given us very clear instructions on how a family should operate. He has given us these instructions out of His love and kindness for us. They are for our benefit, that our homes and lives would be blessed and happy. Unfortunately, sometimes we are more apt to follow the teaching and thinking of the world than the instructions of God. This is to our own detriment.
What are some of God’s instructions that will bring wonderful blessings to our family life? God has said, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22 NAS95) Of course, the world bristles and rages against such an instruction. What about us as the children of God? Will we listen? Do we want to find God’s favor? In the same passage, God says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25 NAS95) Husbands, are we loving our wives in this way? Are you sacrificing for her and putting her needs above your own just as Christ did for the church? This is the instruction of God. We will be blessed if we will do it.
When a husband and wife are working together to fulfill their God-given roles in marriage, fine and beautiful blessings will flow into their family. We get a glimpse of a godly family in Proverbs chapter 31, and we see in this passage that a godly wife plays a key role in finding God’s blessings. “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:10-12 NAS95) Later in this passage we read, “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28-29, NAS95) Do you see the blessings flowing from God to the family who listens to God? The wife has subjected herself to her husband’s leadership. She does good to her husband all the days of her life. For his part, the husband recognizes the excellence and value of his wife. He recognizes that her worth is far above jewels. He trusts her. He praises her. He encourages her to use her gifts in the family and in the community. The husband and wife set a tone for the family that flows down to the children. The children rise up and bless their mother. What a picture of a happy, blessed family!
God wants to bless your family, too. But we must be doing things His way! May God bless your family as you strive to take His instructions to heart!
—Scott Colvin
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