Proverbs 12 (ESV)
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
I highlight the two verses above from today’s Bible reading. This is not at all because I think they have anything to do with each other. But, they are words that spoke to me as I read this text.
First is verse 4, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.” As I read this verse, I recognized how true it is. An excellent wife is wonderful. A wife who brings her husband shame must be a terrible challenge. And, as I read this verse, I find myself so very grateful to God for my wife. Mitzi has been and continues to be an excellent wife for me. She is faithful. She is a sweet wife and wonderful mother for my kids. She works hard, cares much, and is wise. I have never, not even once, ever feared that she would bring me or the family shame. She is, of course, a beautiful gift from God.
Then, I look at verse 25, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Over this past week, I have found myself weighed down with anxiety. I have let myself be burdened by fears for the future, fears for finances, fears regarding church growth, fears regarding the purchase of a new home. But God is stronger and greater than my fears. Even this morning, he challenged me with, as the Proverb says, “a good word.” I have been reading Jared Wilson’s book, The Pastor’s Justification. In the chapter I was reading, Wilson reminded me of the sin of King David when he sent Joab out to perform a census, counting his potential army because he would not trust in the power and provision of God. That reproved me and called me to trust in the Lord and in his power and promises. I do not need to fear, as God is far more faithful than me and far more able than me to accomplish his will for his glory.
Pastor Travis Peterson 