GOD’S DESIRE FOR HIS MARRIED DAUGHTERS

God desires wives to SACRIFICIALLY TRUST THEIR HUSBANDS FROM THEIR HEART.  Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

In some cultures women are taught to submit to men from birth.  They are trained to respond obediently.  In addition they may grow up thinking they aren’t as important as men or their husbands.  They serve and obey out of fear not love. The Bible says,  “wives submit to your husbands AS TO THE LORD.”  It is done out of love and trust not lip biting duty.

          A husband is to treat his wife like Jesus treats him.  Then she is able to respond to her husband like a Christian responds to Jesus.  We do it out of love for Him, not fear.  A wife responds to her husband the same way.

          When a woman has a husband who treats her like Jesus does, then it is easier.  Mary knew Joseph would do what was best for her. He proved himself earlier in their relationship, so she trusted him.  When Joseph woke her up in the middle of the night and said they were urgently moving to Egypt, she went.  When he said they were moving back to Nazareth, even though people would mock them, she went.  She trusted he was going to do what right and best for her.         

          Sarah didn’t trust Abraham.  Abraham put her at extreme risk earlier in their relationship to save his own neck. He proved he would put himself first when circumstances got dangerous. Consequently, she took matters into her own hands to provide a child through Hagar and then protect herself from the bitter family fallout that resulted. Abraham didn’t show Sarah she could trust him and the repercussions continue to today.

          Men, if your wife isn’t responding, maybe she doesn’t trust you. Have you shown her you will take care of her first? Are your actions respectful and caring? You want her to respond to your safe, proven, sacrificial, loving leadership.

 Following your husband comes first through trusting the LORD. Jesus will be with you no matter what happens.  Trusting Jesus to provide, protect and lead. Your husband lays the foundation ,like Joseph, of putting you first so responding in trust ,through God, is possible from our heart