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Proverbs 31: 10

10  “Who can find a wife of noble character?  For her value is far more than rubies. 11 The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. 12 She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.  25 She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.  26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 31 Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”

I went there today – the dreaded passage – Proverbs 31.  The one most women feel inferior to, but is such a wonderful picture of what God can do through His daughter, yielded to Him.  Used as a checklist, we miss the point.  This Proverbs 31 woman is actually a compilation of many women, and an example of what a Holy life, walking in wisdom looks like.

She is not subjugated and treated like an object as some cultures insist.  She is not a poster child dressed scandidly, as some cultures put forth as beauty and the definition of her value.  She is powerful.  Not because of a liberal agenda that supposedly empowers with equality – no she is all her own – powerfully adorned in character and wisdom, uniquely made for God’s glory with a specific calling on her life.

The strength and honor she possesses come from a vibrant faith in and dependence on her God.  Her husband has confidence in her because of her walking in wisdom.  She is not silent – she instructs lovingly.  But the character trait that brings her the most praise is fearing the LORD.  You won’t see that on any tabloid, but the eternal Word of God says it.  Fearing God instructs how she lives – each day a gift – not perfect, but beautifully walking with her Savior.  She is guided by God’s Word and invests her life in her family – the amazing gifts of a faithful life partner and precious children.  I can hear someone saying, this is a Norman Rockwell image and my husband and children are not perfect.  No, but neither are we.  It is this Holy calling of being a wife and mother that humbles us but achieves an ultimate righteousness.  It will be difficult and will take our all, but it will be worth it all.

So many distractions prey upon women today – images and fashion cheapening her existence and worth, societal pressures putting forth goals that are not biblical .  If she yields to the world’s definition, focusing on vanity and selfish endeavors, future generations are not impacted by the wise example she neglected.  If she cleaves to God’s Word and seeks to live as God created her to be, the fruit of such a life is endless.  Ultimately, the fear of the LORD is where the greatest satisfaction and peace are – it is what we were made for – to fear the LORD and enjoy Him forever.

Lord, help us all to live in a manner that pleases You.  Even when the world seems so appealing, may Your wisdom and Your Word win the battle for our souls.