1 Cor. 11:8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake.
I've been stirring on this entry for some time now. I've put a lot of thought into this because it is so important for us, as wives, to understand...
Do you know that the odds are that only one in ten men will finish strong in their Christian faith? Is there scriptural backup for this number? No, not directly. But there is scriptural backup for two in twelve...
God is about to hand over the promised land to Israel, He instructs Moses to pick a *leader* from each of the twelve tribes. It is important here to realize that God didn't instruct Moses to pick just any old guys to go check out the land, but LEADERS. These were the men of great promise. The ones you would put your money on to be great Godly leaders, the ones you would look to as an example. Do you know the names of these twelve men? I am guessing no. I would however guess that you know the names of two of them. Do you know why? Because only two of those twelve very promising, Godly young men finished and had the courage to do what God had asked. Those two men were Joshua and Caleb. The rest were all too scared to do God's work. They feared men more then they feared God whom they had seen perform incredible miracles since their deliverance from Egypt. As a result they had to wait 40 long, hard years before they would get to the promised land.
It was happening then, it is happening now. When I say one in ten men, I am not talking your run of the mill men. I am speaking of the best and the brightest. Those that have completely 100% committed their lives to Jesus Christ and his work. Those men we look to as great spiritual leaders.
I read a story recently about the year 1945 and how three great evangelists emerged that year. One was Billy Graham. You probably know who he is but do you know who Chuck Templeton or Bron Clifford is? You may or may not, but I would guess that the majority have never heard of the latter two. Why do you suppose that is? All three were packing the house preaching the good news. As a matter of fact the latter two were considered more prominent than Billy Graham at the time. In 1946 the National Association of Evangelicals published an article about men who were "best used of God". Billy Graham was not even mentioned. Templeton was the highlighted man. Clifford set more attendance records than any other clergyman his age in American history!
So why is it that Billy Graham is the only one that you still hear of? All three were on fire for the Lord's work! All three started strong.
In just 5 years time Templeton left the ministry to become a radio and television commentator and eventually denounce the name of Jesus Christ all together.
Clifford? By 1954 he had lost his family, ministry, and eventually his life. He left his wife and two son's , whom had down syndrome. He died alone in a hotel of cirrhosis of the liver. He was an alcoholic.
Ladies, of the three most prominent young men in the work of Jesus Christ of that time only one made it. One!
There are many more stories I can give you all of which paint the same story. Sadly, most men will not make it to the finish line strong.
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
A very wise women, whom I greatly admire for her wisdom said something to me once that I will likely never forget. She said "What if when we stand before our great and mighty God we are judged on nothing more than how we helped our husbands serve Him?"
What a thought! I've pondered on this thought for a great deal of time now. God's Word tells us that we were made for man's sake. Everywhere God speaks to us as wives in the bible it is ALWAYS telling us how we can serve our husbands, and what He expects us to do as wives for our husbands. What if the reason that so many women were horribly miserable in their marriage is because they were so caught up in what their husbands should be doing for them instead of what they should be caught up with; What they can do for their husbands.
Ladies, nine times out of ten when the enemy goes on attack with your family he will go straight for the foundation; Your husband. And I use the word *when* very deliberately. It's not if Satan attacks your family, it's when. If he can destroy your husband with one of many of his great lies he can destroy your entire family. Your children have a minuscule chance of surviving his attacks without their father. Your marriage is done without him.
Our God in His infinite wisdom has given us these words as wives for a reason. Great Christian men who start so strong are failing daily. They need us as wives to help them get to the finish line strong.
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
God calls us "Helper". He said "It is not good for man to be alone". This is the God of the universe. His wisdom is unsurpassed. We were made to help our husbands. If this is true then it is time that we see that if our men are failing at such horrible rates that means that WE are failing as his helper.
Let's take a look at what God has to say to us as wives.
~Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22
~Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 1 Peter 3:1-2
~For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:23-24
~Let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33
~For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 1 Peter 3:5-6
~"The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."~Titus 2:3-5~
~Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.1 Peter 3:7
~To be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. ~Titus 2:5
How to the point our God has been with us! 1 Peter 3: 1-2 is so clear on the subject! If they are failing let us by our conduct bring them back to grace!
I write this with tears in my eyes. Our husbands are loosing the battle. WE are loosing the battle. If they fail, we fail. Simple as that. We were made to help them. God tells us that our own behavior can bring them back to Him. What an honor that is! What an honor!
Are you miserable in your marriage? My prayer for marriage today is that wives will return to what God has called them to. Help their husband's not just finish but finish STRONG! If you are miserable in your marriage look to the word of God. Start asking yourself what can I do to help my husband, I was made to help him.
Our Dear Father God, I lift up each married
Man and women to You today.
Lord bring them back to Your ways.
Strengthen them so that they may each
Finish strong in this race.
Give them the courage to live outside
Of the worlds ways. To follow You and Your
Ways even when it is the
Harder choice. Lord, give us wisdom
To discern what is right, follow You,
And never waiver.
Lord help us all finish strong!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
***Thank you to Steve Farrar. for the great information and inspiration I received from his writings.***
