Visiting with Mrs. Proverbs 31: How Are You Clothed?

God's Godly Lady

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

5/28/08

How Are You Clothed?

What do you think of when you think of dressing yourself in the morning?
Stylish clothing, comfortable jeans, cute shoes...

1 Peter 3:3-4 reminds us..."Your adornment must not be merely external---braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."

Ever reflecting her Savior, Mrs. P31 dressed herself likewise...
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future." Proverbs 31:25

Three applicable points press us into Jesus from this beautiful verse.

1) She dressed in strength. The word translated 'strength' is the Hebrew word 'oz,' it refers to strength and power, it depicts the Lord as the source of one's strength. We saw this to be true in verse 17, as well...when she girded herself with the strength of the Lord.

2) She dresses in dignity. The word that was profound to me is the original word translated 'dignity' in this verse. It is the word 'hadar' meaning to adorn, and it is a word used positively in the sense of showing respect and it denotes the splendor which characterizes God's presence. Did you catch that? Mrs. P31 is clothed in the obvious presence of God! She demonstrated that through her respect for others.

Exodus 33:16 Moses begs God to not remove His presence, because he knew it was the very thing that distinguished God' people from all the other people on the planet! Mrs.P31 knows that, too!

3) She smiles at her future. James 4:14 warns us against boasting in the future, because it is unsure. We are but a vapor...here today, gone tomorrow! So why could Mrs. P31 smile at the future? Because she knows Who holds it. She did not trust in her money, social position, good works or good intentions. She trusts in the One true God. Those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and their ONLY way to heaven, can also smile at the future.

Taking it Home:
*What are you and I gaining strength from? Our children? Our money? Our good service?
*What are we respecting? That which GOD respects, esteems and finds value in (ie. other people), or that which the world tells us to respect...OURSELVES!?
*Can you honestly say your spiritual future is secure in Christ and you KNOW you will undoubtedly immediately enter heaven when you die? If not, please click here and feel free to email me with any questions.

Visiting with Mrs. Proverbs 31

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5/28/08

How Are You Clothed?