Day Twelve: That her husband would pursue her holiness

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself”–Ephesians 5:25-28

Husbands, we are to find our joy in the joy of our wives. Men, we are foolish if we think that their greatest joy will be found in us. That would be to profoundly rip them off. No, our goal must be the same goal as Jesus; namely, that their joy is as deep and lasting as Psalm 16:11. Anything else is not a lofty enough goal. The miracle of Ephesians 5:28-32 is that as we nourish and cherish our wives in such a way that they find lasting satisfaction in Jesus we also find our own joy. Men, may our goal for our wives be as big as Jesus. 

Father, stir in me a passion to pursue my wife’s holiness. Create in me a heart that is only satisfied when my wife find’s her deepest satisfaction in you. As a selfish husband I often make decisions concerning our family that benefits me. Change this. Help me to lead and love in such a way that my goal for my wife is her passion for Jesus. Thank you for providing everything we need for life and godliness through the work of Christ. May our marriage glorify You. Amen.