Becoming a Better HusbandSample

Speaking God’s Grace Over Your Wife

The prophets of God in the Old Testament have gained a reputation. We see them today as men and women who stood fearlessly in the face of apostasy, announcing judgment and calling God’s people to repent.

It would be wrong, I believe, for us to assume that the men and women raised up by God as his prophets were sour, angry faultfinders. They took no pleasure in announcing God’s coming judgment or calling for repentance. We should not imagine that these were social misfits who didn’t care that their message would be unpopular or that they would be scorned and ridiculed. Jonah was a reluctant prophet. Jeremiah wept as he delivered his message. They fulfilled their duties out of obedience, not because doing so was easy or fun.

But their message always involved more than coming judgment or a call to repentance. They were continually reminding the people of God’s faithfulness, his love, and his mercy. Some of the most wonderful revelations of God’s character come from the prophets.

The sober message of the prophets was one of coming judgment for Israel. Yet the prophet was also a messenger of hope.

Most wives don’t need a constant reminder of their own sin, especially from their husbands. They are painfully aware of their shortcomings and their failures. Instead, they need to be reminded of God’s forgiveness when they stumble. They need to hear again that his mercies are new every morning. They long for encouragement.

When was the last time you reminded your wife that God is with her, and that he will take care of her in the face of difficulties and adversity (Isaiah 43:1-2)? Or that God’s love is an everlasting love, no matter what (Jeremiah 31:3)? Or that he is a forgiving God (Micah 7:18)? Or that he rejoices over her with shouts of joy (Zephaniah 3:17)?

Those prophetic messages from God are like cool water to a thirsty soul. A husband ought to make it his assignment to daily remind his wife of God’s unconditional love for her. He needs to encourage her regularly that God is cheering for her!

In a word, your wife needs to grow in her understanding of God’s grace.

The husband who concentrates on confronting sin has missed the mark. As we speak for God, we need to make sure that his message of grace and love is coming through loud and clear.