Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 9:10, God’s Wisdom Gives Rest

by Marilynn Chadwick

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

The “fear of the Lord” brings wisdom that far exceeds our understanding. After all, God knows humans better than anyone. From the very beginning, he ordained a Sabbath. So, it would make sense that living according to God’s wisdom and taking one day off every week would strengthen every area of life—our work, our rest, and our relationships.

I’m reminded of the time David and I were invited to teach a marriage seminar to a gathering of young couples. We each made a separate list of our “Top Ten Marriage Tips.” However, we decided not to reveal the results of our lists to one another until the moment we actually presented the message.

It was fun to compare the different habits and insights we each felt had strengthened our marriage. When it came time for “the reveal,” turns out David and I had chosen exactly the same “Number One Marriage Tip.” It was simply this: Take one day off together every week. In other words, “Keep your Sabbath.”

Ironically, this was the very same advice our first ministry-couple mentors had shared with us way back when we were newlyweds. We took their advice to heart and many years later, we still take our day off together each week. If you factor it over our 48 years of marriage and ministry, together, that’s well over 2000 Sabbaths!

We have landed on some practices which make this day special, fun, even holy. We look forward to our weekly ritual of enjoying our favorite coffee in a quiet setting surrounded by nature. Often, we journal our specific prayer needs and give thanks for answers to prayer. Sometimes we enjoy a great movie and special treats. But it’s more about the regularity of our Sabbath than any specific ritual. God seems so very present on those sacred, sanctified, set apart days. Our weekly Day Off has become more than simply time away from work— it is a “want to,” not a “have to.” A gift of grace.

God knew what he was doing when he created Sabbath rest. Over the years, as we have followed his wisdom and not our own, these weekly Sabbaths provided life-giving boundaries and created space for our marriage and children to flourish.

What are some practical ways you can begin to practice God’s “rhythm of rest?”

For more inspiration and insight on how to cultivate a flourishing marriage click here to download a free copy of 8 Great Ways to Honor your Wife by David Chadwick and 8 Great Ways to Honor your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:10,30

by David Chadwick

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”

Proverbs 31:10

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30

Let’s wrap up our week by looking at two verses from Proverbs 31 that describe a godly wife. As you may know, Proverbs 31 is an entire chapter dedicated to describing a godly woman, or as the Jewish culture describes, “a woman of valor.”

What makes an excellent wife? She is a true woman of valor. Her heart is for you, and her life’s allegiance is to Jesus. She loves Jesus with all her heart, soul, mind, and might. She desires a biblical, Christ-centered marriage–one that lasts forever with the back door locked from the outside.

For you men, this kind of wife is FAR more precious than jewels. She chooses to love all the days of her life. This is a woman who is far more valuable than your financial portfolio. Yes, even if you have millions of dollars in it!

Again, yes, an excellent wife IS hard to find. But don’t give up. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Keep searching for her. Keep praying for her. And when she is found, don’t ever let her go!

As you watch and wait, also realize that a woman may possess great charm, winsomeness, and beauty, but this is NOT the foundation upon which you build a long-term, Christlike marriage.

Outward beauty fails and eventually fades away. As my dad once told me, “Son, marry a woman with beautiful insides more than beautiful outsides.” He knew that outward beauty, outward “stuff,” fades. But inward beauty will never fade. Indeed, it will only grow and grow!

I’m fortunate to have married a beautiful woman inside and out. But it's her inward beauty that I value most. And that beauty has only grown and grown through the years. This is what all men who follow Jesus should find most attractive.

Picture yourself still holding hands with your spouse and with Jesus after decades of Jesus’s grace and love filling your hearts. It’s an eternal legacy every follower of Jesus should desire!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 19:14

by David Chadwick

“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

Proverbs 19:14

Today’s proverb makes it very clear that prudence is a characteristic of a godly wife. The word “prudent” means “to act with or show care, wisdom, and thought for the future, particularly in managing practical affairs or avoiding risks.”

The verse starts off acknowledging that a home and financial wealth can come through family inheritance. While fathers, especially, most often work incredibly hard to create a generational blessing and legacy for their children and grandchildren, it is the Lord who gives a prudent wife.

A prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. She is wise, careful, self-restrained, and diligent. A woman like this is a “grace gift” from God. Whereas fathers may leave house and wealth, this verse implies the Lord gives a man a prudent wife to know how to increase the family’s assets because of her prudence.

While not fearful or anxious, a prudent wife calculates decision-making with purpose and precision. She brings wisdom to home management, investments, and financial oversight. She offers good perspectives on decision-making. She is able to process alongside her husband in regard to how to make the best decisions for their family and their future.

In our home, my Marilynn has overseen a lot of family management, which has been a special blessing to me. Her wise and prudent oversight has not only brought about family and financial favor, but her prudence in this area has freed me to do the ministry God has called me to do. Without her, I’d be nothing.

For you men, while a home and wealth are wonderful gifts to leave to your children and your children’s children, the best gift you can leave to the world is a prudent wife, someone who pours into and blesses your home in intangible ways.