How can newlyweds today apply the principle of "bring joy to his wife"? The Key Verse: God’s Priority for Newlyweds “If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or have any duty placed on him. He is to be free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.” (Deuteronomy 24:5) What “Bring Joy” Means in Scripture • Give focused, undivided attention • Cultivate emotional security and delight • Establish a pattern of sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25–28) • Lay a foundation for lifelong partnership (Ecclesiastes 9:9) Create Margin: Guard the First-Year Schedule • Limit extra work shifts, travel, or new commitments when possible • Plan weekly date times—treat them as non-negotiable • Combine errands to maximize shared evenings at home • If military or job demands cannot shift, offset with longer leaves or planned getaways Bring Joy Through Presence • Eat at least one meal together daily—phones away • End each day with unhurried conversation and prayer (1 Peter 3:7) • Celebrate small milestones: first grocery trip, first budget met, first holiday Bring Joy Through Words • Speak blessing: “I’m grateful for you because…” (Proverbs 18:21) • Write short notes—tuck into a lunch bag, mirror, or dashboard • Publicly honor her to family and friends (Proverbs 31:28) • Guard tone; apologize quickly when words wound (James 1:19) Bring Joy Through Actions • Share household chores without being asked—service communicates love (Galatians 5:13) • Budget for flowers, favorite coffee, or a surprise picnic; small investments reap large joy • Protect her rest: handle car maintenance, bills, or difficult phone calls • Initiate affectionate touch that is tender, not merely sexual (1 Corinthians 7:3–4) Bring Joy Through Spiritual Leadership • Set a regular couple’s devotional time—read a Psalm or Gospel passage aloud • Pray aloud for her specific needs; let her hear your intercession • Worship together weekly; plug into a Bible-teaching local church (Hebrews 10:24–25) • Memorize one verse a month as a team—place it on the fridge or phone wallpaper Guard Against Joy-Stealers • Screen time: agree on limits so phones don’t replace face-to-face connection • Comparison: refuse to measure your marriage by social media highlights (Galatians 6:4) • Unresolved conflict: practice speedy reconciliation before bed (Ephesians 4:26) • Financial strain: craft a simple, shared budget; be transparent about spending Extend the Principle Beyond Year One • Schedule an annual “joy check-in” getaway to review goals and dreams • Keep courting: surprise dates, new hobbies together, handwritten letters • Mentor younger couples, passing on what God taught you (Titus 2:3–4) • Remember the ultimate picture: marriage reflects Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31–32) Takeaway Scripture’s call for a husband to “bring joy to the wife he has married” is timeless. By guarding time, speaking life, serving sacrificially, and leading spiritually, newlyweds today can obey this command and lay a joyful foundation for decades to come. |
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