The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Proverbs 3:33 (ESV)
I was dwelling on this verse the other morning and was astounded that this verse applies to me, and to my household.
Certainly, I wouldn’t classify my household as a house of the wicked. But, if you asked me if I were “righteous,” that is much harder to answer. Am I righteous? Well, no! Obviously! I know myself all too well. I know the dark thoughts that swim around in my head. I know all my past sins and propensities to sin.
Especially we men, who are supposed to be the head of our household, find it hard to see ourselves in a righteous light. We deal with lust, anger, selfishness, idolatry, greed, pride, and all manner of sins.
How can I be considered righteous? How is my household a household of righteousness?
The answer, of course, is Jesus.
As a Christian, I am IN Christ. The righteousness that I possess is alien, a righteousness that comes from outside of myself. I have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, who now dwells IN me!
My wife is also a Christian, who is IN Christ, who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
My older children are also Christians and I see their faith growing as they push back against the darkness in the world around them.
My younger children (as are all my children) are covenant children. This means we raise them as Christians and teach them the Scriptures and point them to Christ. I can ask my 2-year-old who made the trees and he will dutifully answer, “God!” They are expressing their faith in Christ in the capacity in which they are able to do so.
I am constantly amazed at how blessed I truly am!
Marriage, according to Scripture, is a picture of the Gospel. Paul says in Ephesians 5:32 that this “mystery” refers to Christ and His church. My family is a small microcosm of the Kingdom of God.
And why is this true? Because of something I have done? Because I am righteous, in and of myself?
No.
It is because God’s grace was poured out upon me and my family. He chose to use me and my family as an instrument for His glory. He chose to bless my family. He chose to bless my household of righteousness.