“Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31)

In this verse, Christ tells us that He values us, His People, His Bride. We are precious in His sight. Have you ever thought about being “valued” by God? What does that mean?

God values us “in Christ.” (See Ephesians 1:3-11, 17-18; John 10:11-30.) Why does He value us? Because we are:

1)    His Elect (Ephesians 1:3-11)

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4)

2)    His Body (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:20-22)

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

3)    His Sheep (John 10:11-30; Psalm 100:3)

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalms 100:3)

4)    His Peculiar People (1 Peter 2:9)

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

5)    His Inheritance (Ephesians 1:17-18)

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Have you ever thought of “valuing” your bride? Is your bride of value to you?

Why should a husband value his wife? Primarily because it is his responsibility to do so. He is instructed to type out Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). He is the head of his wife, his bride; just as Christ is the Head of the Church, His Bride.

Now, we look at the specifics of why he should value his wife. First, she is virtuous (or morally excellent):

1)    Her price is far above precious jewels:

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)

2)    Her clothing is strength and honour; strength is her inner garment and honour is her outer garment:

“Strength and honour are her clothing…” (Proverbs 31:25a)

3)    She excels (surpasses) all the daughters in virtue:

“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (Proverbs 31:29)

Second, she fears the Lord:

1)    She possesses the beginning of knowledge

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7a)

2)    She hates evil

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)

3)    She possesses the beginning of wisdom (which is understanding); and she is growing in the knowledge of the Lord:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1:17)

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

4)    She has strong confidence in the Lord:

“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

5)    She is a fountain of life:

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27)

6)    The Lord takes pleasure in her:

“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” (Psalms 147:11)

Third, she is able to rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25b), “…and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

So, in the physical: she rejoices to be your wife, lover, friend, help meet; and she rejoices to be in the wife’s position of submission (Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Peter 3:1-7); and she rejoices in her work as a wife in the home (Genesis 3:16; Titus 2:3-5; Proverbs 31:10-31).

In the spiritual: she rejoices to be your sister in Christ (1 Peter 3:8); and your co-laborer in your Kingdom’s Work.

Husbands, do you value your wife? If not, why not? You may say, “She is not virtuous and she does not fear the Lord, therefore she does not rejoice.” However, is the problem the wife? Or could it be that you, in the position of head and husband, that you have not loved her as Christ loved the Church? Could it be that you have not washed her with the washing of the Word of God? Could it be that you have not nourished and cherished her, as defined in Ephesians 5:22-33?

Husbands, try obeying God’s Word concerning your responsibilities as head to your body, your wife; and see what God will do.

The reason the Bride of Christ is virtuous and fears the Lord and rejoices, is because of the attitude and action of Christ toward His Bride.

So husbands, follow Christ and you will come to value your bride.