A Series Highlighting Christ-glorifying, Culture-changing Woman from the Past to the Present.
Three remarkable qualities that marked the life of...
Sarah Edwards
I. Her love for the Lord. Sarah’s love for the Lord was evident by the way she obeyed the Scriptures. By submitting to the Lord’s commands and trusting in His holy providence, she lived as a free woman in Christ. In a letter to her daughter soon after Mr. Edward’s death, Sarah demonstrated this by writing,
“A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod and lay our hands upon our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore his goodness, that we had him so long. But my God lives; and he has my heart. O what a legacy my husband and your father has left us! We are given to God and there I am and love to be.”
II. Her devotion to her husband. The love and devotion, Sarah Edwards lived out toward her husband is remarkable. At different times during their marriage, issues would arise that set scores of people (many in their own congregation) against Mr. Edwards because of his strong resolve that the Bible was the only means by which to judge right and wrong. Through it all, in times of poverty or wealth, Sarah stood by her husband, not only for moral support, but also for the furthering of his vision. Their Christ-honoring marriage inspired the young George Whitefield to write,
“A sweeter Couple I have not yet seen…She…talked feelingly and solidly of the Things of God, and seemed to be such a Help meet for her Husband that she caused me to …[pray] God, that he would be pleased to send me a Daughter of Abraham to be my wife.”
III. Her hospitality. I believe that my mother and Sarah Edwards have exemplified the Scriptural command of hospitality to the extent that love and care is coupled with grace and flare. My mother’s graciousness in serving guests in our home is what I also noticed in Sarah. People not only loved to be with Sarah, but they loved to be in her home watching her serve in her God-ordained sphere. Samuel Hopkins, who said, “She knew the heart of a stranger,” also remarked,
“She was peculiarly kind to strangers…By her sweet and winning manners and ready conversation, she soon became acquainted with them…and led him immediately to feel as if he were at home."
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Some time ago, I read Marriage To a Difficult Man, and it was from this book that the above quotes from Sarah Edwards, George Whitefield and Samuel Hopkins were found. Marriage To a Difficult Man, was not only an interesting and engaging read, but it was a book that exposed the strength of women in their sphere of true influence and the effect of that influence on untold numbers of descendents. May the Lord be glorified!
