An Excellent Wife; A Grateful Husband
Today’s reading: Proverbs 31:1-Ecclesiastes 2:26
My selection: Proverbs 31:10-12
10 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.
My reflections: I am fairly certain that a vast number of wives who read this chapter do not feel adequate to meet the standards of this multi-talented, consistently-disciplined super woman. Probably there never has been any single woman who completely fulfilled this description day in and day out over the course of a lifetime.
My challenge: Depending on your personality, wives, you will either be challenged or frustrated by Proverbs 31. Let it not frustrate you. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are accepted in Him despite your imperfections. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). His mercies never come to an end, and they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Do let Proverbs 31 challenge you in a healthy way. You have His Spirit to produce fruit beyond your own ability. [John 15; Galatians 5].
I am also fairly certain that many of us, husbands, who read this passage, need to show greater honor toward our wives. Let us not use this passage as a basis for finding fault with our wives, but as a reminder of all that they do to make our lives and homes a taste of heaven. After all, the woman described here has a husband who is wise and influential in his community and that may not fully describe us either (vs. 23). Let this passage remind us that our wives deserve praise, probably more than we currently give them. Remember “a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (vs. 30).
Tomorrow’s reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-6:12