Proverbs 31:13

 Proverbs 31:13 She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

Wool and flax? Being a crunchy mama I can appreciate searching out wool and flax. But in today's modern society you're likely wondering, “What?”. Simply put, Woman 31, has gone out and gotten what she needs to get her house in order. She's acquired and crafted what she needs for her home. 

How can I apply THAT to my life? Do I work willingly to have my house tidy and comfortable for the family and/or friends that I am thankful to have? Is my home peaceful and calming or stressful and echoing discord? GOD has put us where we are with the people/friends/family we have. I'll admit, that word “willingly” can sometimes get lost in the day to day - who willingly scrubs the toilets, scrapes burned on cheese off dishes, and bathes the dog who rolled in something that died last week? 

 Willingness, it's the part that we have to choose, the part that's truly a heart decision and sometimes is harder than the actual physical task at hand. Let's pray for the strength to choose the willing attitude as we work to keep our homes in order.

Proverbs 31:12

Proverbs 31:12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

ALL the days of her life. ALL of them. Making good, GODLY decisions EVERY day. Well, no one said this was going to be easy. Every day we have those choices-good or evil; righteous or selfish; GOD's way or the old nature.

I love how Galations 6:9 encourages us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” IF WE DON'T GIVE UP. Our old nature will fight us, but we can be prepared to fight by focusing on GOD and surrounding ourselves with GODLY friends that encourage us along the way. Not only should we create relationships with great, GODLY friends to gain encouragement, we can BE an encouraging friend as well!

Proverbs 31:11

 Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  ESV

Can my husband, boss, co-workers trust me? Any relationship, especially marriage, hinges on honesty and trust. A verse from Luke compliments today's verse perfectly, Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

In the Amplified Bible her husband trusts in her CONFIDENTLY, and RELIES and BELIEVES in her SECURELY. What a person to be! There is no fear in her husband at all in concerns to her character, reputation, abilities, and decisions. THAT kind of woman requires a GOD sort of help! Thankfully we have that kind of help at our disposal! If we were to become THAT woman, imagine the difference people would see. People around us would have no choice but to ask us why.  

The Proverbs 31 Woman

The Proverbs 31 Woman was never a REAL person, she never existed in human form with a name and birth date. She WAS a “woman” that had all the qualities that a mother wanted her son searching for in his future bride. Woman 31 is a role model, a goal to strive for. She is NOT presented to us to make us feel small or inadequate. Set aside your checklist, NO woman will ever perfectly measure up to Woman 31. Instead, let's learn from her. Let's not shy away from her, fearing her perfection. She represents the ultimate guide to look up to, presented by GOD. Let's SEEK to be this kind of GODLY woman.

Over the next twenty-one days please join me as we read and dwell on each verse concerning Woman 31 through Proverbs 31:10-31. We'll take some time each day and meditate on just one verse from Proverbs 31. Occasionally I'll pull in some extra scripture to help us understand and elaborate on GOD's best for our lives. Regardless whether you're a wife, a mom, a single woman, a grandmother, a working woman, a housewife, fresh out of high school, or struggling to remember high school; we can ALL learn something from this amazing guide that GOD placed in his word just for us women!

I've used the ESV for all scripture texts, but occasionally mention other translations in regards to various word usages in an attempt to fully understand and unwrap this amazing woman GOD has presented us to follow by example.

Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. ESV

Excellent: Possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good. The KJV uses the word virtuous {wife}: conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright; chaste.

I can't help but think of how Woman 31 would stand out in today's culture of “Political Correctness”. Is it easy to stand out and be different? Not usually! But notice the second sentence in this verse, Woman 31's value is precious, precious beyond the value of jewels. We may not see instant value in relation to our actions and desire to stand out as a GODLY woman, but GOD has placed great value on our lives. With Woman 31 as our role model we should stand out from the crowds of today's culture; being a beacon and a shining light of difference, of excellence, as we take on the tasks GOD has entrusted us to do!

Psalm 69:34-36

Psalm 69:34-36ESV

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
    and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36     the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
    and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

David closes out this particular Psalm with more praise and worship to GOD.  What are some ways that we can praise GOD?  So often when "Praise and Worship" is mentioned, our tendency is to drift towards singing and worshiping in voice.

Fortunately (especially more so for some of us than others ;) ), there are so many other ways we can praise and worship GOD than simply through our voices or musical talent.

What are ways that you can worship GOD?

In your job?

At home?

Online?

With your family?

At the grocery?

With your spouse?

At church?

On the road?

Psalm 69:29-33

Psalm 69:29-33ESV

29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
    let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
    or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the Lord hears the needy
    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

Once again David is showing who he goes to when he is down, afflicted, in pain.  He once again goes straight to GOD with his request for uplifting, knowing that GOD will hear him.  And once again, he praises GOD, declaring who he is and what he is capable of.

It's very encouraging to me that our songs of praises and our true thanksgiving please the Lord more than a required animal sacrifice - He wants a relationship with us!

These praises and thanksgiving we raise to GOD not only effect our relationship with him, but also encourage other believers.  My positive praise and worship throughout my life can encourage fellow believers?!  That can be scary and awesome all at the same time.  It gives us opportunity and responsibility.

Sometimes it is so easy to think that what we are going through or have to deal with, would have no effect on someone else and their life.  How can my "xyz" be an encouragement or help to someone else?  Our stories, praises, GOD things, no matter how big or small, could be a huge encouragement and just what someone in our circle of influence need to hear to help them along!

GOD wants to have a relationship with each and every one of his children and he also wants his children to create healthy, encouraging relationships with each other!

Psalm 69:22-28

Psalm 69:22-28 ESV

22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
    and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.[a]
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
    and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
    and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
    may they have no acquittal from you.[b]
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
    let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

These are some rough verses to wrap one's mind around.  How do we align these verses from King David with Christ's teaching to love our enemies....bless those that curse us.... (Luke 6:27-35)

It took quite a bit of contemplating and meditating on these verses.  I finally happened upon one of John Piper's sermons on this text and the light came on!

If we look at Romans 15:3, Paul is encouraging us to deny ourselves rather than the desire for revenge, "Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'"  We need to forgive just as Christ!  So what's up with these six angry verses in Psalm 69!?

We are to forgive, "let it go", but not because there is no wrath or judgement, but because there IS.  It's just not our job to execute judgement.  I think this quote from John Piper sums it up rather well,

"The fact that GOD will do it, and that it is right for him to do it, is the very means by which we are able to follow Jesus in suffering for the sake of others who have wronged us."

Romans 12:19-21 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of GOD, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'  To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Another line from Piper stuck out to me and I just love how it reminds us that we don't need to worry about it.

"The burning coals will be purifying if there is repentance, and punishment if there is not.  GOD will decide.  We will approve."

David surely wanted revenge, and he took his thoughts to GOD, leaving them with Him to do as He chose.