A  FAMILY THAT SACRIFICES IN THE

 LIGHT OF GOSPEL

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.  (Psalms 33:10-11)

PART II

For the earlier part click here

Dear sisters, there are some obligatory duties that God considers essential for a wife. If you obey the Will of God wholeheartedly, without seeking your own desires or pursuing your path of liking, then you are sure to obtain happiness.

Let us turn our attention towards the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible. 

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone, I will make a suitable companion to HELP him." (Gen 2:18) “The man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him." (Gen. 2:20)

Filled with compassion for man’s loneliness, God put him into a deep sleep. While he was asleep, He took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him (Gen. 2: 21-22)

He was amazed to see the new creature. He named his companion as 'woman'.

From the above-said verse we come to know that the woman was made for man as a suitable helper for him. Many have mistaken the above-said scripture portion and think that every individual woman is to be totally submissive to man. ‘To do the work of a maid-servant for man’ this is the thought impregnated in the minds of many people.

But the Lord God through His creation gives equal honor and respect to both.

So that woman may rule over her husband the Lord God did not take the bone from the man's head. Similarly, to be crushed and stamped over by the husband, the Lord God did not create the wife from the bone of his feet. To grant equality, the Loving Father gave form to man’s companion by taking the bone from the middle of his body. Through this God reveals the great mystery in the impartial God's creation and equal weight and value, honour and respect to both.

‘The husband is the focal point. My desires are like the soap bubbles in water. I am only his helper. What is there for me?' 

Such thoughts impregnated in numerous minds have to be uprooted as there is a great value for the position of a 'helper'. 'Helper' does not put one down or devaluate it.

In the Kingdom of God, a helper has an honored and highly valuable position. Perhaps the society may give importance to those in authority and highly placed and is a normal practice to degrade those in the position of a helper. This race of competition and taking advantage of one's freewill is not acceptable in the Will of God. If the works (ideas) of a helper serves to control the community, then similar to his works a helper is also of importance.

"One who loves his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for other will gain it." (Jn.12: 25)

Unless we meaningfully fulfil His Word of God a married life based on the Holy Scriptures is not possible. We must abandon totally the crooked ways of fulfilling our selfish desires.

A capable wife gets up early in the morning, surrenders herself and her husband at the feet of the Lord. By seeking the Will of God and being filled with God's power she begins her work. The Holy Bible states how a capable wife ought to be. Through her, the plans specified by God for that family will be successfully fulfilled.

"How hard it is to find a capable wife!  She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.  As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm... She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant-girls what to do..... She is generous to the poor and needy.... Her husband is well-known, one of the leading citizens.... She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.  She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs.  Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her."  (Prov. 31: 10-31)

This does not imply that all Christian women are like this. However, through proper prayer and continuous hard work, it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned virtues through which she will be able to handle all the work wisely, and obtain and grow in wisdom and strength.

A wife can take the lead to bring about prosperity and success in the family. However she has to put her firm faith and submit to God and in His victorious care.

“Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ." (Eph.5:21)

By complaining that the encouragement and co-­operation that was expected is not obtained, and hence by neglecting the duties given by God you become wrongdoers in God's sight. Wives who poke their nose in aimless things, and neglect their family and divert from the goal of life are not few in number.

 A capable wife should be away from unwanted boastful talks and gossips. If husband and wife are both working, and because of that if the wife is not able to do her family duty, both should pray and decide together and by doing the house work during the night time they can establish a peaceful atmosphere.

Today's generation is caught up in economic crisis and restlessness due to the tension of education.

Above all to be filled with the heavenly peace and contentment, both husband and wife should be the loving children of God who cares.

There is no measure to the shame and insult that the old wife of Abraham, Sarah had to face. Yet the Holy Bible says “He trusted that the One who promised him is faithful and that gave Sarah the power to conceive" (Heb.11: 11)

Those who are supposed to adorn faith have become the ones who by fear have become weary, over burdened, and thus devoid of hunger and sleep.

The Bible says that a capable wife laughs at the future; riches that the naked eyes can see, the huge salary of the husband, nor the sight of seeing her sons becoming successful- -it is not this smile that she puts on. Rather it is the trust in the promises of the Heavenly Father who protects us in the palm of His hand everyday from dawn till dusk without any casualties. She is able to accept with contentment whatever the Lord gives by His knowledge, and thus sleep peacefully at night.

Dear ones, by reading punctually the Holy Bible, believe strongly in your heart that the promises of God shall be fulfilled. Children of God should have love in them not only towards family, children and husband; instead she should be aware of the needs of God's people and be helpful to them.

Doing good in every deeds is the ornament of all women who believe in Jesus Christ. This is reflected in the food that she prepares, the home in which they live and the children that she raises. Her relation with God will be reflected in her own life and habits. Even among problems, in the shortcomings of the family, sicknesses and weaknesses, with faith she is able to do her duties punctually. With thirst in the depth of her heart she should pray at all times in her mind to be filled with gentle and calm spirit of God.

"You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you do your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight." (1 Pet 3: 4-5)

Those who have this quiet spirit in them have great satisfaction and tranquility in their lives. A capable wife has praiseworthy talents. Her submissiveness is not because of fear or idleness. She always lives with this faith that being a part of Jesus' body, the responsibility given by God and there is authority in her.

The Lord desires such people who pray and wait patiently for the Lord's ways to be fulfilled in His time and according to His plans. Similarly, the wife should carefully keep her purity. By keeping her mind with God and placing her hope in Him she continues to pray and ask Him for His help day and night.

Dear sisters, being a woman God has given you freely the necessary strength and gifts to each one. By using these in proper way, when each one plays her role, according to His constant love, God shall lift you and strengthen you. To obtain maturity through the Word of God and God's spirit, He gives advises, instructions & corrections.

A capable wife does not rely too much on her capability and strives hard for personal spiritual growth as well as family prayer with husband and children, by carrying her cross she walks on the path of God. Those who seek refuge in the ways of the Highest God, He shall safeguard them from enemies and hidden danger. The faithfulness of the Lord shall be their armour and shield.

Dear ones, Jesus Christ is the source of all relationship in the world. Even in marital life Jesus Christ is the focal point. If husband and wife desire a peaceful married life by accepting Jesus who is the peace, as the Lord and Master they must allow to be led by Jesus. They must pray for His divine caring. Otherwise Jesus who joined you, the unity that He desires or to establish any other prosperity or happiness would be impossible.

If you make Jesus as Your Guide He shall protect you from every disaster. Then through our life's circumstances dearly He will show us the things to be rejected and abandoned in our life. He shall lead both of you with one opinion and raise you up as two capable students of a single Teacher.

If you make selfish habits and other wrong ways as your teacher, you will fall into disaster and ruin yourselves. You must open your hearts and allow the God's spirit to work in you.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all! He gave us his Son will he not freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8: 31-32)

God is our refuge and strength. He is a suitable helper at times of trouble. Like a bird He shall protect and defend us under His wings. He shall safeguard the lives of those who seek refuge in Him. He shall establish a prosperous future life. The family which was like a desert shall flourish and be gladdened. Those who live in fear shall obtain courage. Weak body and mind shall be made strong.

For those who trust in Lord Jesus, by amending the errors in your life come into the presence of the Lord. Like the flowers that bloom in the wilderness, to play and sing, God is giving you an opportunity. Praise the Lord!

PRAYER

“O! Lord, do not allow my family to be away from your sight.  Jesus, my Lord come among us as our Master to lead us.  Amen.” 

Recite this prayer every morning and evening and be blessed.