Knowing God - He is Our Refuge

Ps 9:9

The Lord also will be a refuge for the

oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

The word ‘refuge’ here means ‘an inaccessible place’.   Oppression speaks of being crushed and afflicted.  The Lord, Himself, wants to be that place that is accessible to us but inaccessible to that which is oppressing us.  When storms rage and flood waters rise, we should seek higher ground for safety.  The storms may continue but we will not drown.  This refuge is the Lord.  We can run into Him and be safe.  If you are going through a season where the waters are rising and your head is barely above water, stop trying to swim in the waters – GO TO HIGHER GROUND!  Go in your room, your back yard or go for a walk.  Begin to worship your refuge and trust that He wants to hide you in the shadow of His wings.  Enjoy His love.  Enjoy His protection!

Proverbs - An Introduction

Proverbs 1:1-6

 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;

the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

                        These proverbs are given to us that we might know wisdom instruction.  This would lead us to conclude that we tend to not have wisdom nor be instructed in the right way in and of our own reasoning and conclusion finding.

           

                        They are also given that we might perceive the words of understanding.  This helps us know that we could have words of understanding given by others or even enter our minds and yet we might not perceive them as wise or valuable.  The proverbs will help us assess words that make sense to our lives.

                        Also they are written to give us knowledge and discretion.  Sometimes we just don’t know what to do and the proverbs were written to give us such knowledge; knowledge about money, relationships, work, child-rearing, sleep, our words and a myriad of other subjects.   Discretion is great for a woman because Titus 2:5 instructs us that young women need to be discreet.

             

                        If we are that ‘wise woman’ who builds her house rather than tearing it down we will be careful to listen to these warnings and instructions and increase in our learning that our lives would truly be built upon the rock of the Lord’s counsel and wisdom

Knowing God - He Has Counsel for You

Josh 9:14

And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.

Joshua and his men were faced with some people who said they were from a faraway land.  These men showed physical things like; moldy bread, old wine skins and worn out shoes to prove they were not a nearing city.  Joshua and his men went by what they saw.  They did not ask counsel at the mouth of the Lord.  Do you know that the Lord has counsel in His mouth for you and your situation?  No matter how logical things may look or how things are lining up we must ask the Lord’s counsel because He has it stored up for the righteous.  It would behoove us to remember that our God is called Wonderful Counselor.  We must begin to connect with Him in a way that allows us to listen to and embrace all He has to say.  The Lord Jesus is called the Word made flesh.  He wants to speak to us.  He wants to speak to you specifically concerning that situation that you think you have already figured out.  Stop.  Ask for counsel at the mouth of the Lord.                                                                    

Proverbs - What Have We Grown?

Proverbs 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works praise her in the gates.

What we build will end up being what we live in.  Are we planting those things that the Lord tells us to plant?  Are we doing those works He has set up beforehand for us to walk in?  Do we aimlessly exist just letting the day take us or are we being led by the Holy Spirit into the things He wants us to do?  We don’t have to seek the favor or praise of people.  When we do what God wants us to do, the very works themselves will provide a place of purpose and satisfaction.  Although we are most definitely saved by grace through faith, the life of wisdom is one that is satisfying and fruitful.  Sister, plant to the Spirit and of the Spirit you will find yourself eating wonderful fruit.

Proverbs - The Fear of God is Beauty

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

“Favor” means having people like and respect us.   Beauty is that which is admired by the eyes of others.  Having the favor of people can really deceive us and trick us into making choices that aren’t really God’s best.  We like it when people like us but we are not here to please people.  We are here to please the Lord.  Beauty is nice and it feels good to look good but beauty is empty and doesn’t bring the ongoing sense of purpose we need to live day by day.  The woman who fears the Lord is the one who will keep on going like the energizer bunny.  When others turn away from us or our beauty just isn’t what we would want it to be, if we fear the Lord, we will have the consistent source of acceptance and worth we need to go on until the Lord calls us home.  When you are doing your make up or sensing someone likes you, send a silent prayer asking the Lord to establish you in doing thing to please Him above all other motives. 

Proverbs - Excellence

Proverbs 31:29

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

There are many women who have great virtues but the woman who is submitted to the Lord is the one who is head and shoulders above the rest.  We are not doing things to be virtuous.  We are doing things by His power and out of our love and devotion to the Lord.  Unless the Lord builds the house through us, we will build and not have anything to show for it.  It doesn’t matter what society is doing or what type of virtue is being extolled, if we are women who are seeking the Lord we will excel in that which He is perfecting. We won’t need to TRY and be virtuous.  He is the author and finisher of our faith and our lives are intended to be written by Him.  We will excel because we will be serving the Excellent

One!

Knowing God - The Lord Stirs Us

Judg 13:24-25

 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.

And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

When Samson was growing up, the Lord was blessing him.  At one point the Spirit of the Lord was moving upon him when he was in the camp of Dan.  The Spirit of the Lord began to stir him up when he was at a certain location.  The Lord can stir us up at certain times for His specific purposes.  When we sit alone before Him, go on a retreat, drive along fellowshipping with Him, sitting in a crowded mall or living in a certain city.  The Spirit of the Lord will begin to move upon us for the things He has created us to be and to do.  He wants to bless us and move upon us.  We must remain re-surrendered every day and willing to respond to whatever His Spirit begins to move us towards.  Just as the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the earth when it was void and without form, He will move upon us to breathe into us all the creative plans He has for us.

Knowing God - The Lord is in This Place

Gen 28:16

 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

Jacob was sleeping.  The Lord appeared to him in a dream and let him know that the land upon which he slept was promised to him.  We, like Jacob, could be sleeping on things that the Lord wants to give us.  When Jacob awakened he told himself that the Lord was in this place and he didn’t know it.  The Lord’s presence is not always so spectacular.   His power is not always so demanding.  Oftentimes the Lord is in something and we are practically sleeping and not recognizing He is in it.  His promises and presence are not always pushing their way into our perspective.  We, like Jacob, must awaken to His presence and the promises He has already given us.  Lord, show us the places where you are and we have yet to recognize!

Proverbs - Have a Farmer's Mindset

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Have a Farmer’s Mindset

                                    

This is a statement about this woman after her children have grown.  This reminds us that our children may buck against some things now but they will bless us later.  We must not despair for the reactions of our youth, but seek to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  They will thank us later.   Our husband will eventually notice the day to day things we do and he will praise us later.  Let us work unto the Lord and not look for the immediate fruit.  Let us trust that we are growing our family and the harvest will come.  Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap, if you do not give up.

Knowing God - He Thinks on Me

Ps 40:17

 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

The Lord thinks upon us.  This word here is a word often used with crafting a musical instrument.  There is consideration of shape, use, function, material and purpose.   The Lord looks at me and you and thinks upon us.  He has plans and purposes.  He has a design for us and is our help and our deliverer.  Sometimes we may feel that people don’t really think about us and we may even feel alone and neglected.  Let us take this truth and hold it up to our feelings dispelling that conclusion and taking great comfort in the fact that the Lord thinks upon us.  This is a great source of comfort and security.  As we keep our minds stayed on Him, let us remember He is thinking upon us.  As we purpose to abide in Him, let us remember that He has come to make His abode with us.  

Proverbs - Laziness

Proverbs 31:27

She looketh well to the ways of her household,

 and eateth not the bread of idleness.

We are told that we are to look well to the ways of our household.  We are not to casually glance but look well.  How are the children doing in school?  Is anyone unusually moody or agitated?  What needs repair or maintenance?  Is my husband’s sexual needs/desires being met?  Is there milk in the refrigerator?  Are there any relationships in my home that need cultivating?  Have we been too serious lately?  Have we been too carefree lately?  The best way to look is to watch in prayer.  As we bring our household before the Lord He will illuminate those things to which He would have us address.  We must not be idle women just existing from day to day, but rather diligent women who know that our homes are under construction and we are on site to do just that.  Every wise woman builds her house.

Knowing God - He May Prohibit

Deut 34:4

 And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

The Lord allowed Moses to see what was promised to Abraham’s descendents but did not allow him to go into it.   We learn from this verse that the Lord can allow us to see things to bless us but also restrict us from certain experiences.  Our God has the authority to limit what we experience and yet, we see Him being compassionate and letting Moses see the land and embrace the final chapter of the wilderness experience.  We must embrace the boundaries our God has set for us and focus on what He lets us see.  Let us be people who enjoy all He does show us and submit to the restrictions He has for us.  He is God and we are His people.  Wasn’t it just great that Moses was hearing from the Lord at all?  Shouldn’t we be so excited to hear from our God that it doesn’t really matter what He is saying?  Don’t you thing that just that fact that we are hearing Him should give us such great joy that any restrictions or limitations He gives us should be embraced and accepted? Don’t try to experience things He may have restrictions on rather, let us enjoy the time we have with Him and His voice l

Proverbs - Wisdom and Kindness

Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Wisdom and Kindness

Two rules are given for our mouths – wisdom and kindness.  Our mouths should not pour forth the foolishness of anger and contentions.  Our mouths should not be quick to give advice based on emotions and human loyalty.  Our mouths should speak forth the counsel of God and having exposed ourselves to the Word of God on a regular basis it should be so.  Kindness should be the rule for EVERYTHING we say.  We should not only use the culturally acceptable polite words but use words that are soft and not so harsh.  Please and thank you should come out often and we should word things in such a way that does not intentionally provoke or tear down.  The Lord wants His gals to be wise and kind.  Oh Lord that we would open our mouths with wisdom and that kindness would the law by which we speak!

Knowing God - He Sees and Hears

Ex 3:7

 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

We see great things about our God here.  He saw.  He heard. He knew.  The Lord saw the affliction they were facing.  He heard their cries.  He knew, or was familiar, with their sorrows.  Our God is intimately involved in His people’s lives.  He knows when we sit down and He knows when we rise up.  The Lord sees things in our lives we might not have even brought before Him in prayer.  He hears our cries and knows who or what is responsible for our pain or confusion.  He knows the sorrows we are experiencing.  Today, when you commune with the Lord, thank Him for seeing, hearing and knowing all you are going through.

Proverbs - Strength and Honor

Proverbs 31:25

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Strength comes through faith and honor comes from humility.  These are the things that people should see in us.  When we wait upon the Lord, trusting Him to be working, we are strengthened and do not have to control.  When we humble ourselves and seek to discover His plan for our lives, we are not so anxious and contentious.  We can actually rejoice and look forward to the future.  Waiting on the Lord involves praying.  Humbling ourselves before the Lord involves praying.  Are you praying?  Are you bringing up the future before the great I AM?  If you and I do this we will become strong, honored and look forward for the things to come. 

Knowing God - He Stretches Towards Us

Ps 40:1

 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

                                                                 

The word ‘inclined’ here means; to stretch or bend down.  When we cry to the Lord we are lifting our voices towards the Lord.  We are being someone who stretches towards the Lord seeking Him to move in our lives.  Here, we see that the Lord stretches towards us.  Our God leans into us and our lives, hearing our cries and tenderly involving Himself in that which concerns us.  He wants us to hurl our cares upon Him, because He cares for us!  Our God loves us.  Our God knows the numbers of hairs on our heads.  The enemy so wants to classify our God as a distant God that involves Himself in some sort of impersonal way in the affairs of His people.  This is not so!  Our God inclines unto us, stretches towards us as a Father longs to hold his precious child.  Don’t believe the adversary’s constant smear on our God’s nature and reputation.  Our God inclines unto us and hears our cries!

Proverbs - Diligent in Business

Knowing God - He Binds Us in the Bundle of Life

1 Sam 25:29

… but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God;…

Abigail is giving a prophetic word here to David.  What a neat word.  The Lord takes those He calls and loves and binds them in the bundle of life with Him.  This word was given after declaring the pursuit of Saul against David.  We may have things seeking after us but we have a God who binds us in the bundle of life WITH HIM!  He is the life.  We are in Him.  We are in life.  Here we see that the Lord, Himself, binds us in that bundle of life.  How wonderful!  Thank You Lord that You bind me in the bundle of life WITH you!

Proverbs - Respect Begins at Home

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known in the gates,

when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

This husband has the mind to judge matters for the city.  He is respected and people come to him to make decisions.  The virtuous woman gives him the respect that is due his position.  When a man is respected and listened to at home, he gains the identity of one who is to be respected and listened to outside the home.  Ladies, when was the last time you asked your husband for his advice, took it and went back and affirmed him in it?  When was the last time you gave his advice to someone else and gave him credit for it?  If we want our husbands to grow in their ability to make good decisions, let us reverence them and follow their lead.  We are created to do them good.  We will contribute to their character as we listen to them and give them the respect God tells us to give them.  Then, they will be known by others as one who is to be respected. 

Knowing God - God Instructs

Jer 6:8

 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

The Lord is telling His people to be instructed or they will end up being desolate and having the Lord stop speaking to them.  Our God is telling us the same thing.  He can teach but we must be instructed.  Being instructed involves being teachable and open to taking in all our instructor is telling us.  God doesn’t just tell us what to do, He commands us to do what He is telling us.  The Lord will remove His instruction and allow us to see what it is like if we ignore His words and teachings.  Our God wants us to be good disciples, learning what He says and having His instruction become a part of our lives.  We don’t want our lives to be desolate lands.  We want our lives built strong and full of life.  The Lord tells us today to be instructed.

Proverbs - Man Looks on the Outward

Proverbs 31:22

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Man Looks On the Outward

A virtuous woman is attentive to her appearance.  She is resourceful and can put things together in such a way that she is not always having to buy the latest trends.  Here, she makes these clothes herself.  She does not rely on a better financial situation to look her best.  She can go to thrift stores, yard sales and really good sales.  She clothes herself in such a way that she presents herself as someone her husband loves to look at.  Taking care of your appearance is an act of love to your husband.  Man does look on the outward appearance and he likes to look at a pretty wife.  Seek the Lord in the morning.  Ask Him what you should wear.  He clothes the lilies of the field so beautifully don’t you think He can clothe you as well?  Acknowledge Him in this way.  He will direct your path.

Knowing God - The Lord Fights the Battles

1 Sam 25:28

 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found

in thee all thy days.

Abigail was talking to David and trying to turn him away from attacking her husband and all he owned.  David was insulted by Nabal and on his way to repay evil for evil.  Here, we see Abigail explaining to David that the Lord will make David a sure house.  She was reminding him that it is the Lord who fights the battles and that moving out in self preservation or pride is not what makes a king a king.   She declares that the Lord will establish David’s reputation and not the strength of his own arm.  The Lord knows who we are and we don’t need to defend ourselves.  The Lord will establish us as we seek to honor Him and make choices that reflect our faith in Him and His Word.  Later, the Lord deals with Nabal in a way that leaves David guiltless and without innocent blood on his hands.  The Lord will make our lives sure and established.  Let’s back out and watch the Lord trouble those who trouble us.  We must focus on forgiveness. 

Proverbs - Anticipate and Prepare

Proverbs 31:21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household:

for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Anticipate and Prepare

This verse speaks of a woman who anticipates and prepares.  She knows the winter is coming and the snow might fall.  She prepares her family with the right things for the right conditions.  We need to check the refrigerator for lunch supplies, check our children’s clothing for the next season, notice if a camping trip is coming and keep the thermostat at a comfortable level for her household.  We should have some sort of planner that contains dates and appointments.  We should look ahead and prepare.  We can pray over the next few months, laying our hands on the calendar asking the Lord to fill the days as he sees fit.  We can pray that we would be those women who prepare for what is coming ahead.  If you lack this ability ask the Lord to help you.  He loves to train us in His ways.  

Knowing God - God is Far Above

Eph 4:10

 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

                                                    

Jesus ascended after His resurrection to the Father and sat down showing that ALL the work needed for salvation was completed that He was sent to do.  He ascended FAR above all heavens.  The Lord Jesus Christ is to worshiped and His ascension was one thing that demonstrated what godliness is.  He didn’t just die.  He didn’t just rise, but after He rose from the dead He ascended back to His Father.   Although He is seated at His right hand, Christ can still fill all things.  This is a quality only given to God – the omnipresence of God.  This means that God can be everywhere at the same time.  If Jesus ascended and fills all things, we can conclude that He is, indeed, God, the Son.  We must honor Him and exalt Him.  Christ can fill us today.  He is far above ALL heavens and His presence has been promised to us.  His ascension demonstrates this fact.  He is with us always and He will never leave us or forsake us.  

Proverbs - Stretching Out Your Hands

Proverbs 31:20

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

 yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Letting Needs Stretch You

The kind of woman a young man should look for is one who reaches out to the needy.  She actually stretches and reaches forth to meet these needs.  It is not always the convenient deed that she involves herself with.  She gets involved and her hands are involved.  Whether she is cooking for them, writing that check, giving clothes or a listening ear, she goes towards the need.  In our culture, we are often so consumed with our own needs we turn a deaf ear to the dilemmas others face.  As God’s women we are designed to go towards assisting and ministering to those who are in need.  The next time you hear of a need ask your God how you might stretch out and reach forth in His name.

Knowing God - God Prevents

1 Sam 25:26

 Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

Abigail was used to prevent David from shedding blood.  This verse tells us that it was the Lord, Himself, that prevented David from such ruthless actions that might very well have affected his kingdom later when he held the throne or even when his sons held the throne.  Abigail did not take credit.  She gave the glory and credit to the Lord.  She saw the hand of God on matters and was quick to tell David that it was His God who did this.  Our God is longing to work through His people to save people from hasty reactions.  If you and I feel prompted to say something, consider the fact that it may really be the Lord wanting to use us in a situation.  It may be the Lord wanting to deliver someone from a hasty or damaging reaction.

Proverbs - Put Your Hands

Proverbs 31:19

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Put Your Hands on that Machine

Here we have a gal who uses her hands to operate a machine that will provide clothing for her family.  We often have to put our hands to the steering wheel and drive our children to get the things they need.  Do we complain?  Shouldn’t we rather do this with a heart of wanting our children to sense God’s provisioning through us?  We also put our hands into the laundry and put it in the machine so that our family has fresh clean clothes.  Oh the Lord is good to give us such tools to clothe our children and provide them with coverings that smell so good, look fresh and help them present themselves in the best light in the midst of their peers.  Our hands are yielded to the Lord to be the one who gives our families that sense of covering and care.  Let us lay our hands upon those tools He gives with this kind of heart and love. Chores can become quite fulfilling this way.

Knowing God - Jesus is God's Righteousness

Isa 56:1

 Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Jesus – God’s Righteousness Revealed

The Lord’s righteousness is constant and established.  At this time, Jesus had not come to earth yet.  He was going to come and man was going to see God in the flesh.  God’s righteousness was going to be revealed.  In Christ, man saw righteousness in human form.   This righteousness was revealed and in the light of Jesus we all fall short of God’s perfection.  The Lord didn’t just send Jesus to reveal moral righteousness, He sent Jesus to bring salvation.  His perfection was not seen just for our example and imitation, His perfection qualified Christ to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  If Christ were not perfectly righteous, He would not have been the salvation that makes righteousness available to all who would believe on Him.  The righteousness that was revealed in Christ went way beyond Him pleasing the Father in all He did until His death, but His death and resurrection as well.  Praise Jesus today.  Worship Him for being God’s righteousness revealed.

Proverbs - Pause and Perceive

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Pause and Perceive

When we read about the Lord creating all we enjoy, we see a pattern.  He stops at the end of the day and beholds that what He did was good.  Ladies, do you ever stop and behold what you have done and its goodness?  So often we run to the next task forgetting the sense of accomplishment in what we have just completed.  We rush to clean the next room, not stopping to take in the order we just brought to the previous.  We rush to correct our children and train them in the way they should go without soaking in the times they do go in the way they should.  Journaling can help us do this as well as a time to pray at the end of the day thanking the Lord for all He has done through us.  We will be careful not to take the credit but let us stop and enjoy the good things He does through us.  This will give us the determination and sense of purpose we need for all we have yet to do!

Knowing God - The Lord Sends People

1 Sam 25:32

 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

The Lord Sends People

Someone told Abigail about her husband’s ill response to David and David’s plans to come and bring harm to him.  Abigail came up with a plan and was used to bring about peace and diverted the bloodshed.  We see in this verse that it was the Lord that sent Abigail to meet with David.   Sometimes we get information and we wonder why someone told us something.  It may be, in fact, the Lord sending us to talk with someone or be used in some way to bring about a resolution.  The Lord sends people in a variety of ways.  In this instance, Abigail was sent by hearing about something through someone else.  We should be open to being led by the Lord through the information He might allow to get to us.  Abigail was sent by the Lord, He may send us as well.

Proverbs - Arms that are Strong

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

                                                                           Lifting Weights to Carry Burdens                  

The virtuous woman is not a weakling.  Because we need to work willingly with our arms we need to have our arms strong.  We carry, babies, burdens, bags and bundles.  It would be wise to get some sort of regiment to help us do this without back injury or strain.  Maybe owning a set of hand weights to use while watching that show or waiting at a light might be a good.  It is great to get help from our husbands and the men in our lives, but let us not wimp out on everyday tasks.  Let us take care of our temple so that we can enjoy serving our families without unnecessary pain or injury.

Knowing God - He Rebuilds

FYI – I read something that said yesterday’s verse was actually Jeremiah’s heart…still researching it…. 

Jer 4:27

 This is what the Lord says:

"The whole land will be ruined,

though I will not destroy it completely.

NIV

The Lord was going to deal with His people and it was going to look like total devastation.  The birds were going to flee, the walls torn down and the temple was going to be in ruins.  The Lord clearly states that the destruction was not intended to be the end of His people but that which would be used to bring them to a place of repentance.  Even though it looked like the end, in fact, it was a new beginning.  When we face destruction because of our own choices and we feel hopeless, we must remember that the Lord intends to use the demolition as an opportunity to rebuild.  He does wonderful makeovers and demolition is often necessary

Proverbs - Should I Buy That?

Proverbs 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Should I Buy That?

This proverb lets us know that a virtuous woman is not an impulse buyer and she is definitely not into credit.  She considers the field.  She examines whether it is a good buy and helpful to her family.  She is a woman who is not quickly duped by late night infomercials or the next get-rich-quick scheme.  She takes what she earns and yields an increase.  This may be why she is not impulsive.  She uses the money that she earned with her own hands so she is cautious and prudent with it.  Lord, give us the wisdom we need to be the women you want us to be with purchases and investments.

Knowing God - God's Heart Pains for Us

Jer 4:19

 My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

The Lord’s Heart is Painful For Us

This is the Lord speaking here.   The Lord is saying that He knows that the armies are going to descend upon His people because they have not made the Lord their refuge.  He is revealing to us that He is pained in heart because of the consequences His people will be facing.  What a loving God!  It brings Him no pleasure to see us suffer the consequences of our rebellion.  He is pained in heart and deep within our God, He hurts for us.  Here we also see that He cannot hold His peace.  This means He has to say something to speak to His people before they face such times.  Our God wants to speak to us before, during and after times of chastening.  He will speak so that we are exercised by the chastening and that it will bring forth righteous fruit which makes for peace even in the midst of trouble.  Our God is so tender.  Our God is a good Father.  Let us remember to listen for His voice, trust in His love and be cooperative with any sort of discipline He might have to give us.

Proverbs - Wake UP!

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household,

 and a portion to her maidens.

A lot of women cringe at this verse at first sight.  They hate waking up early.  There can be seasons where this might not be as necessary given your work schedule, responsibilities or health, but oftentimes it is quite the good thing if you have a family that starts their day early.  It is a good thing to rise up before the rest of the house, whenever that is, and make sure that our family is waking up to a smile and good food.  Our husbands and children can wake up to love and care.  They can smell the bacon or see the cereal set up for them and start their day feeling loved and taken care of.  Ladies, we are not called to be served but to serve.  What a privilege!  Maybe you can set the table or get some muffin mix mixed up the night before.  You can be praying for them before the alarm wakes them up and you can set the tone of the day.  Be honest and consider if you might not be fulfilling this part of the ministry to which you are called.  Wake up!  You might even hear His lovingkindness in the morning before you hear the babies, husband and children’s voices!

Knowing God - He Rebukes Our Fears

Josh 10:8

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

The Lord had told Joshua more than once to not fear.  The Lord spoke to Joshua’s fears as they arose.  Each battle and challenge seemed to have unique fears for Joshua and the Lord dealt with them each time.  Our Lord knows our frame.  He understands that we are but dust.  He looks at us like a father looks at his little children.  When we are afraid, He does not rebuke us, He rebukes our fears. He told Joshua one time that it was His presence that would calm his fears.  The next time the Lord told Joshua that he could take mighty men with him and this helped calm his fears.  This time the Lord spoke the outcome to calm his fears.  We must seek the Lord for our fears and be sensitive to how He may be addressing them.  Our God is our Father and He wants to deliver us out of all our fears.

Proverbs - Ship Ahoy!

Prov 31:14

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Ship Ahoy!

A merchant’s ship goes from its home port to a foreign port with the intended purposed to load cargo much needed in its home town.  We are to be like this ship.  A merchant’s ship will take cargo from its origin, drop it off in another, load up from there and unload goods from the distant land to its place of origin.  We can go to the Lord, in His heavenly place, and take the cargo from our world.  We can bring Him our concerns, joys, anxieties and fears and drop them off in His presence. Then, as we are emptied, we can fill up with the goods that the Lord wants to put into us and take all of it back to our place of origin.  Perhaps you could start your day considering yourself a merchant’s ship.  Take those cares to the Lord and pour out your heart before Him.  Take on His wisdom, peace and counsel and bring them to all those who surround you.

Knowing God - The Lord Shall Trouble those who Trouble You

Josh 7:25

 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day.

We are not to repay evil for evil.  The Lord is the One who is in the place to recompense to man a reaping of what he sows.  Our God is not mocked.   If we roll a stone, that stone will roll back on us.  When someone brings us trouble as we are seeking to serve the Lord and be about His business, the Lord will deal with them.  He will trouble those who trouble us.  We have a Father in heaven that is not passively observing our plight.  He is involved and judges the earth.  If someone troubles you, refrain yourself from troubling them.  Leave this to the Lord.  The Lord will fight for you.

Proverbs - Willingly

Proverbs 31:13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Willingly

A virtuous woman doesn’t need everything handed to her.  She will seek for the materials she needs and doesn’t mind working with her hands.  As a matter of fact, she works willingly with her hands.  The manicure is not her priority.  She knows that using her hands to clean and cook helps her home be a place of order and her hands will help bring it about.  She knows that everything isn’t always easy and expects to spend much time looking for things and using her hands.  This modern day world tells us to love ease, but God’s design for us is to be women who willingly work with our hands.  The next time we need to hunt something down or pick something up, let us use our will to choose to do it and find that we will be shining like a ruby.

Knowing God - God Will Reveal the Cause of Defeat

Josh 7:10-11

                                                    

 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned…..

There was a defeat for the armies of Israel and Joshua was crying out to the Lord.  Perhaps Joshua thought the Lord had let them down.  Joshua had received the promise that if he meditated on the Word of God he would have good success.  Why would this happen?  The Lord tells Joshua that it is because of Israel’s sin that they were defeated.  Sometimes there is defeat in our lives and we cry out to God because we think it is our fault or maybe we feel the Lord is letting us down.  The Lord answers Joshua and tells him to get off the ground and quit feeling sorry for himself.  The defeat was related to someone else’s sin.  A defeat that affects us may, in fact, be due to someone else’s sin.  Let us be cautious to jump to conclusions about the cause of defeat and be willing to go through hard times because of someone else’s sin.  Our God will speak to us and help us avoid the victim mentality and help us get up and seek Him for what to do next.

Proverbs - Doing Him Good

Proverbs 31:12

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

                                                                                         Doing Him Good           

We need to not just avoid doing evil to our husbands but seek to do him good every day of our lives.  This means when we are tired or cranky or when we are up and strong.  What a great way to start our day!  We could ask the Lord, “What could I do that is good towards my husband today?”  Does he like the bed made as soon as you wake up?  Does he love a good, hot meal when he gets home?  What is his favorite snack?  Do you have it on hand?  Are his sexual desires being met with joy and willingness?  Has he heard you give him a compliment lately?  Can you run an errand from his list?  Let us do them good and not evil ALL the days of our lives.