I am currently studying the woman from Proverbs 31.
11 'The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.'
I should be fighting every day for my husband; for his victory over struggles, work, sin. Am I living in such a way to give him victory or sabotage his efforts.
20 ' She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.'
The word 'poor' is replaced in some translations with the word 'afflicted' or 'oppressed '. It is defined as 'defenseless' in Greek. Do I willingly, freely, without a second thought, offer help to those in need? I don't think it only means 'poor' as in low income, I think it encompasses; a new mom, the elderly person at the store who needs help & a smile, a hurting friend, the neighbor child who needs love...
25 'Strength & honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in the times to come.'
Do I prepare myself each day with God's Word? Do I have it hidden (memorized) in my heart so that when the struggles of the day come, I am prepared. Do I rejoice in the unknown, knowing God knows?
26 'She opens her mouth with wisdom...'
What comes out of my mouth that shouldn't? Do I talk with out thinking? Are the words which flow from my mouth Godly & Glorifying or Gossipy & Sinful?
30 ' Charm is deceitful & beauty is passing, But a woman who hears the Lord, she shall be praised.'
Do I fully grasp that true beauty comes from the Lord?
What goes through your head when you read about the woman in Proverbs 31? Does she intimidate you, or encourage you?
My heart longs to be the woman God created me to be.
It isn't easy.
The world we are living in is brutal. Everywhere we look, someone or something is telling us to be happy we must be; wealthier, skinnier, less wrinkly, apart of xyz, drive the new Toyota Sienna, have 2 kids and a dog, vacation in Aspen... When, in all truthfulness, not one of those things will give us true happiness. True happiness comes when we embrace who God has called us, each individually, to be.
I was reading over 31:10 - 31 yesterday for what seems like the 100th time. As I was reading aloud, the following verses tightened my throat. (taken from NKJV) Under each verse are my thoughts.
11 'The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.'
I should be fighting every day for my husband; for his victory over struggles, work, sin. Am I living in such a way to give him victory or sabotage his efforts.
20 ' She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.'
The word 'poor' is replaced in some translations with the word 'afflicted' or 'oppressed '. It is defined as 'defenseless' in Greek. Do I willingly, freely, without a second thought, offer help to those in need? I don't think it only means 'poor' as in low income, I think it encompasses; a new mom, the elderly person at the store who needs help & a smile, a hurting friend, the neighbor child who needs love...
25 'Strength & honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in the times to come.'
Do I prepare myself each day with God's Word? Do I have it hidden (memorized) in my heart so that when the struggles of the day come, I am prepared. Do I rejoice in the unknown, knowing God knows?
26 'She opens her mouth with wisdom...'
What comes out of my mouth that shouldn't? Do I talk with out thinking? Are the words which flow from my mouth Godly & Glorifying or Gossipy & Sinful?
30 ' Charm is deceitful & beauty is passing, But a woman who hears the Lord, she shall be praised.'
Do I fully grasp that true beauty comes from the Lord?
What goes through your head when you read about the woman in Proverbs 31? Does she intimidate you, or encourage you?
My heart longs to be the woman God created me to be.
It isn't easy.
The world we are living in is brutal. Everywhere we look, someone or something is telling us to be happy we must be; wealthier, skinnier, less wrinkly, apart of xyz, drive the new Toyota Sienna, have 2 kids and a dog, vacation in Aspen... When, in all truthfulness, not one of those things will give us true happiness. True happiness comes when we embrace who God has called us, each individually, to be.
3 comments:
Great observations and comments. The verses in Proverbs 31 challenge and encourage me! I think a good practice would be to read this passage weekly! My oldest girls (and me too) memorized this passage several years ago. I think that this summer would be a great time to work on that again, and this time include my 7yo. What inspiring verses to have hidden in our hearts!
True happiness comes from serving God! You are right, not from "things" which will all perish anyway.
The verses you mentioned should challenge us all today.....how can we serve God in the areas of our husbands, the needy, our time spent reading His Word, our conversation, our pursuit of true beauty?
Thank you for the thoughts to ponder today!
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Have a nice day!
Roan
Beautiful post!! I have to smile because I've got a giveaway I'm announcing on Monday that I think you will be interested in. :)
I LOVE this verse. Yes, it does intimidate me, but more than that, it inspires me. I love your commentary. What a great way to break it down and chew on it.
Thanks for linking up today..hope you've had a wonderful day..
Erin
So Glad i stopped by via It's Grace's link she shared on FB.
This is a Great inspiring post!
God can see our hearts and I know I need his hand in every aspect of my life. I am a SHAM of 21 years. I also have four children ages 21,18,16 and 12. a Wife of 22years. Ya WOW!
Hope you will stop by and meet me too! www.artnsoulbydeborah.com
Many Blessings, Deborah
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