Proverbs 31 Extra
Many months have passed since I last posted. Life can easily get too busy, and sometimes cause us to put God 'on the back burner'. My husband, who is also my pastor, often reminds us about having balance in our lives. He has used the example before of our bodies being compared to dogs. We have a physical body that is likened to a black dog, and a spiritual body likened to a white one. If we feed, nourish, and love only the black dog (our flesh), without feeding the white dog (our spirit), over time, the black one will be strengthened and the white one will weaken, and eventually die. We must spend time each day 'feeding' our bodies from the Word of God, to get strength and grow spiritually. Then, as we face problems, struggles, and difficulties in our lives, that strength from the Lord is what will help us endure.
The next verse in our devotion is Proverbs 31:24, "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant." We've already discussed several verses about the Virtuous Woman and how she was diligent, hard-working, not lazy, somewhat of a business woman, etc. Although having these qualities is a part of the life of such a woman, there is a much greater side of her that is much more necessary.
In thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman, and how BUSY she was, always working diligently and productively, we can learn more than only the physical labor side of this. We must remember that she is in Old Testament times, under the Law, and of course, without the modern technology we have today. In those days, the people had to work hard to obtain their necessities, and they also had a ‘works’ mentality. They were used to ‘serving God continually’, as the priests were required to do, making sacrifices for their sins. Hebrews 7:27 says “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s:”
The Old Testament people did not have Christ as of yet. They could not ‘rest’ in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, which He did for us by shedding His blood and dying on the cross, enabling us to have the gift of salvation and eternal life with Him. Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all.
If ALL we are is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, then what have we accomplished?
Isaiah 29:13 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
Of course, we can be a good testimony and have an impact on others’ lives. But we must:
*rest in His finished work (Colossians 2:10)
*read His Word and pray to Him.
*grow in the Lord (Ephesians 4:15)
*grow close to Him (James 4:8)
He wants our heart. Proverbs 23:26 "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."
He wants us to rest in Him. Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
He wants us to abide in Him. John 15:4-5 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
By doing these things, then we will naturally serve Him. But more importantly, we will naturally produce fruit (bring others to Christ), and have the fruits of the Spirit. Isn’t this what the Christian life is about? Not only serving God, but after salvation, learning more about Him so we can bring others to know Him too? Otherwise, we are living in the flesh and ‘serving God’ in the flesh. We are not “saved to serve”.
Galatians 4:7 "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
In the story of Mary and Martha, Martha perhaps didn’t realize that cooking food and serving a meal were spiritual things. Someone had to cook the food. They couldn’t just order a pizza or run and get a bucket of chicken! If she had the right heart about it, she could have been prayerful, joyous, and worshipful while preparing food. But she got jealous of Mary, and bitter toward her, because she was having to do all the work herself.
Someone has to clean toilets. Someone has to change dirty diapers. Someone has to wash the dishes. Someone has to buy the groceries. Someone has to do all of the laundry. Someone needs to educate the children. All of these things are necessary things, and we choose whether or not to do them with the right heart. Why do we feel like these things aren't the things that make us spiritual? They ARE spiritual things!! As wives and mothers accomplishing these tasks, we ARE fulfilling God's plan for us when we submit to His Word. Our home is our first ministry. 1 Timothy 5:14 "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." The greatest impact we women can have on eternity is to be the wives and mothers that God expects us to be.
We CAN be busy for the Lord, and be able to rest at the same time. It’s all about our heart attitude, and accepting what Christ did for us. We serve Him because of what He did for us. Let us not be caught up in the things we do FOR God, but rather focus more on getting to know Him more and resting in His finished work. The other things will fall into place as we grow closer to Him.
GOD'S WORD WORKS!!!
