Our final thought comes from verse 29 where it is further explained, “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” God is interested in taking care of and feed ing His people. He never varies from that standard. What more could a mother ask than to know that her husband is standing behind her, not just on her “day,” but throughout the year. Such a home and relationship can not be bought. It comes out of hearts I NEEDED THE QUIET 1 needed the quiet, so He took me aside Into the shadows where we could confide; Away from the bustle, where all the day long I hurried and worried when active and strong. I needed the quiet, though at first I rebelled, But gently, so gently, the cross He up held. And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things, Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings To heights never dreamed of when active and gay. He loved me so greatly He drew me away, I needed the quiet, no prison, my bed, But a beautiful valley of blessing in stead, A place to grow richer, in Jesus to hide— I needed the quiet, so He took me aside. wholly dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. We who know the Lord Jesus, therefore, know the secret behind the real spirit of Mother’s Day: the Spirit of Christ. Peter summarizes these truths as he declares, “Ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowl edge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (I Peter 3:7). 20
happy is by the attitude the father shows toward her. In speaking, let us also remember that it is not only the words we speak which are important, but also the tone of voice used. The next point illustrating our Lord’s love for the Church is “That he might present it to himself a glori ous church, not having spot, or wrin kle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (verse 27). If anyone has a right to find fault with us, it certainly is the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice, however, that He doesn’t do it. Our blemishes, weaknesses, faults and problem areas are taken to the throne of grace. There, at the right hand of the Fa ther, He pleads our case, as our Advo cate. Husbands, God wants us to be advocates rather than critics. How often do you pray for your wife? You have no idea, until you try it, what a wonderful effect it will have on the whole family. Another important point is to real ize that when the children see that father really respects mother, it will be a good incentive for them to re spect her, too. Many young people are disobedient and disrespectful to their mothers because they learned such at titudes from their fathers. If we, as Christian men, realize we are to show to our wives the highest form of divine love, we will have no trouble in making Mother’s Day throughout the year. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is very practical on the degree of love. Listen: “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth him self” (verse 28). Here it is forcefully pointed out that we ought never to take each other for granted. The two things more often taken for granted in this world are wives and the Bible. In both instances such a practice means the missing of wonderful grace and blessings. God has never taken us for granted, has He? When a wife finds her husband c o n s id e ra te , thoughtful, and kind, her heart is de lighted with an inward joy. Here she experiences real love in action!
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