Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.
SWEET WIVES AND MOTHERS
Sweetness is not something that is highlighted in women today. I wonder why, because it builds a beautiful marriage and makes a wonderful atmosphere in the home.The husband in Song of Solomon 4:11 (NET) says to his wife: "Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue." Most people have a sweet tooth and like sweet things. And did you know that husbands like sweet wives?
The testimony of this wife in the Song of Songs is that sweet words constantly drip from her mouth. And that shouldn't only be in the bedroom, but in every room, and every situation throughout the day. Rather a challenge, isn't it?
Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary adds to the meaning of sweetness: "gratefulness to the taste, or to the smell, fragrance, and agreeableness to the ear, melody, and sweetness of the voice, softness, mildness, and sweetness of temper."
In Psalm 128:3 God reveals the picture of the wife as a grapevine. And of course every vinedresser does everything in his power to cultivate sweet grapes. Who wants to eat sour grapes? What husband wants a sour grapes wife? And what children want a sour grapes mother?
God also commanded sweet incense to be lit every morning and every evening in His tabernacle. He designated specifically that they must make the incense with SWEET spices (Exodus 30:34). He wanted the holy place to be filled with a sweet aroma, just as He wants our homes to also be filled with the sweet aroma of His presence.
God commanded the anointing oil that speaks of the Holy Spirit to also be made with SWEET spices (Exodus 30:23). Some people confess that they are filled with the Holy Spirit, but if they do not reveal a sweet anointing, it may be another spirit. When we give into our fleshly nature, we give off some pretty bad smells for our family to endure; but when we yield to the Holy Spirit, we will release a sweet anointing.
May God help each one of us to fill our home with sweetness today--in our words, looks, smiles, and attitudes. This is my prayer.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
