It would seem to me that all married men ought to read for their own benefit and profit the Book of Proverbs. In these nug­gets of wisdom set down for us by the wisest monarch who ever sat upon an earthly throne, you will find practical lessons which will help you in every department of life on earth. The observa­tions with reference to the establishment and maintenance of homes are well worth your perusal and diligent study.

We can all agree with the sage saying found in chapter 18:22, Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. This forever sets aside the idea that marriage is an institution entered into only by those who have lost their reasoning ability. Instead of saying when a man announces his impend­ing marriage, Another good man gone wrong, we ought to say, Another good man gone right!" Paul says, Marriage is honor­able in all. God said in the beginning, It is not good for man that he should be alone. If it wasn't good then, it's not good now. I hold no brief for those who make jokes about marriage and imply that it is a bondage. It's a good thing, the Bible says, and I agree with that. But it's a good thing only if we make it a good thing. Even good things by being abused can become evil.

Fortunate indeed are those men who have selected as their life companions those who are prudent and wise. The record says, A prudent wife is from the Lord. Perhaps the other kind are from the devil. But in any event I think that most of us could make our marriages a great deal happier and derive manifold more blessings there from if we considered the part that we should play in order to bring about that state of gladness which should encircle the home.

A philosopher once said, A good wife is heaven's last best gift to man; his angel of mercy; minister of graces innumerable; his gem of many virtues; his casket of jewels. Her voice his sweetest music; her smiles his brightest days; her kiss the guardian of inno­cence; her arms the pale of his safety, the balm of his health, the balsam of his life; her industry his surest wealth; her economy his safest steward; her lips his faithful counselor; her bosom the soft­est pillow of his cares; and her
prayers the ablest advocates of heaven's blessings on his head." This being true, certainly we should heed the instruction of God's Truth, which says,"Love your wives."

Husbands, you are all that your wives have to depend upon for joy and comfort, for love and affection. If you disappoint them, if you permit that feeling of warmth to grow cold, if you bestow your love for another, then your wife has no place else to go. She gave up all for you. She sacrificed everything that was dear to her in the
past, and risked it all upon your promise of the future. To a woman, marriage is a paradox. The wedding is at one and the same time the happiest and saddest experience through which she can go in life. It constitutes the promise of a future enjoy­ment and bliss raised like a beautiful monument above the depth of all past and present life of pleasure.

The wife quits the home where she grew up, and says goodbye to all of the familiar scenes which he has loved. She forsakes her parents, relinquishes all of her companions, leaves her occupation and turns her back upon everything which formerly gave her pleasure, and provided her with joy She has to leave the father and mother whose kind advice has guided her through the years, and whose loving arms have shielded her from the pitfalls and dangers on the road of youth. The sister
whose room she has shared and to whom she has confided her inmost thoughts now must become almost a stranger, for those intimate thoughts will be given to another. Every tie that has been so close is now broken and severed at one time, and yet the one feminine temperament is different than the masculine, and the wife not able to stand as much as the husband.

Second, I must remember that my wife and I are heirs together of the grace of life. The word “heir” conveys the thought of an inheritance, and in this case it refers to eternal life. I am happy at the thought that in our family we are all striving together for that home over there. We know that some time our home here will be broken up by the hand of death. We do not know who will be called first, nor do we know who will linger to the last and shed tears of sorrow over all of the rest. But we are happy in spite of the fact that death will separate us, because we know that “here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” We acknowledge that “this earth is not our home and that we seek one to come." In view of the mutual promises and the mutual inheritance awaiting us, we should treat each other as God's Word directs. Otherwise, one might become discouraged and lose the inheritance. Of all things promised, I want most to know that my family will inherit the everlasting bliss and joy of heaven.

Third, we should live in peace so that our prayers be not hin­dered. The indication is that contention, quarrelling and anger will hinder our prayers. That certainly is true. Have you ever tried to pray when you and your wife had just engaged in an argument, and you were so angry that you refused to speak to her? It's a hard job to get into the mood to take your petition to God's Throne, isn't it? Now, anything which hinders prayer, hinders our union with God. It renders us incapable of living as a Christian to that extent. I ask you, therefore, to remember when you hate your wife and loved ones, that you also hate God. You place a wall and erect a barrier between yourself and heaven.

Listen, husbands, have you really tried to make a Christian home for your wife and children? Did you promise before you were married that you would give up certain habits? Have you dispensed with them? Did you promise yourself that you were going to make your home as much of a heaven as can be con­structed on earth? Have you fulfilled that promise? If not, then why not start today? With the help of God's Word, and with the grace of heaven sustaining you, turn from your hateful ways, and get back on the spiritual beam of truth and right living. Others are depending upon you. Can you afford to disappoint them and break their hearts?

Lesson #10: "Happy Homes Are Christian Homes" will follow in the next mailing.

"Lessons From Yesterday" is compiled by Dwain R. Stoops

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