Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 12:4

by David Chadwick

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

Proverbs 12:4

Excellent is defined as “something possessing outstanding quality, superior merit, or being remarkably good.” Shame, on the other hand, is “a painful emotion driven by the belief that you are fundamentally flawed or unworthy.”

In this verse, God lays out two options of the kind of wife someone can find. Almost like a fork in the road, this verse clearly shows what happens if you go one direction versus another. One direction leads to honor. The other leads to death.

If he chooses poorly, a shameful wife brings rot to a man’s bones. This woman is not just shameful with her words, but also her actions. She does not think before she speaks or acts. She lives solely for herself and makes decisions for her own benefit.

A shameful wife makes decisions through the lens of selfishness and sin.

On the other hand, however, think about what a crown represents. Royalty. Glory. Honor. Prestige. Influence. So a man who marries an excellent wife will be marked by her excellence.

A wife of good character will make her husband feel like a king. She will not only lift him up and make him feel important both to her and the home, but she also has good character herself, which means she will represent him and the family well in the public eye. All of this brings tremendous honor to his name.

An excellent wife doesn’t bring shame to her husband in any way, especially with her words. She also knows how her words can bring him down and deeply hurt their relationship and therefore uses words of affirmation to build up her husband. The same principle holds true for a husband’s words to his wife! Words themselves either encourage excellence or shame.

This is what the Bible calls an “excellent wife.” She is beyond reproach. The kind of wife a husband is so proud to be married to. I have such a wife and am indeed a very blessed man.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 5:18

by David Chadwick

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

Proverbs 5:18

This week, as we continue to look at some of the many proverbs that teach us how to live a righteous, godly, and successful life, we are going to focus specifically on some of the qualities of a godly wife.

Proverbs 5:18 says, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

There seem to be two major directives here. Let’s take a look at them together.

First, “Let your fountain be blessed.” This implies that the love that a husband has for his wife is worthy of blessing. There is an overwhelming, almost intoxicating love that a husband is to have for a godly wife. It can also imply the fountain of love that produces children is a large blessing as well.

There is nothing better than a home where deep love exists between husband and wife, one that increases year to year. This kind of love produces an environment of grace, which allows kids to grow up in a healthy home and be raised as Christ followers.

If a man’s life is a fountain, finding a Godly wife makes that fountain blessed and fruitful in every possible way.

Secondly, this verse seems to imply that husbands should regularly rejoice in the wife of their youth. This immediately speaks to the gift of a long-term marriage! One that lasts for decades. Where in old age, a man can reflect and rejoice in the wife of his youth. Where memories are shared and make each other laugh. Where love only grows with each passing year.

I most certainly have such a wife. I have such a marriage. And I celebrate with her an almost half-decade-long marriage, with a “fountain” of three kids and 12 grandkids; I am truly a blessed man. I am so thankful to be married to this kind of woman!

For you women out there, seek to be this kind of wife. And for you men out there, seek to be the kind of man who finds a wife in whom you can rejoice. Study God’s Word and follow along with me this week as we learn about five attributes of a godly wife found in the book of Proverbs.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:10, Mighty Men and Women of Valor

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Who can find a woman of valor...”

Proverbs 31:10 OJB

“The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Judges 6:12 ESV

In this series, we caught a glimpse into the heart of the Queen Mother (Proverbs 31:1-9) as she fervently prayed for her son who would one day be king. We saw this same heart displayed by Queen Margaret of Scotland as she prayed for and trained her own children, some who also became kings during the 11th century.

But here’s a startling truth: If we believe in Jesus, we are sons and daughters who are a royal priesthood. Royalty is no longer reserved for priests and kings or those born into royal lineage. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are part of God’s royal family. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Yes, we are God’s royal priesthood. Citizens of a kingdom not of this world—a kingdom that dwells in our heart. As we live in that newness of life, our good works bring glory to God. “Dear friends, I urge you… Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God...” (1 Peter 2:11,12). God sees within each of us the courage and strength he put there.

Let’s look at how the Bible portrays a man named Gideon. The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12 ESV). God called Gideon to save all of Israel during one of the darkest times in their history. And yet, Gideon felt afraid and utterly without strength. His own family was a mess. “How can I save Israel?” he cried out to God. “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” God replied, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14,15 NIV).

Maybe you struggle with inadequacy and fear like Gideon did. Perhaps God is whispering to you right at this moment as he whispered to Gideon: "The Lord is with you mighty warrior, man or woman of valor. And because I am with you, you will have strength to prevail!” God’s words to us are the same words he spoke to Gideon. “Because I am with you, you will defeat your enemies.”

Let’s dare to learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs courageous men and women of valor who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into a broken world. There is a place—a household and a community somewhere—that desperately needs your love. There is a cause that has your name on it. Our greatest mission is to reach the world for Christ. Let us become men and women of valor who dare to do something courageous for God. Perhaps we’ll discover unexpected courage as we step out in faith to give life to others.

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick.

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