Strength and Honor

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September 19, 2012

"She Has Strength & Honor"

Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 31:25-27 (HCSB) Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.   She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.

Devotional Reading:

I have seen these books, read testimonies, see many women wear the shirt, but how many actually are a Proverbs 31 women?  The key to understanding all that she does from before dawn to after dusk is easy.  Are you ready for this, here is the key to this woman’s effectiveness. Her priorities are determined by God’s will, not her own. This women in the Psalm would seem like a super woman.  The NOW movement would condemn this as well as the Psalm as being male-chauvinistic, however look at the words the Psalmist uses in just these short verses.  She is strong.  She is honorable.  She is mature and able to teach.  She is in control of her house and never rests on her accomplishments.  I do not know many men who can answer this calling, for it is a high one.  She does not need flattery nor does she require others to rally to her defense.  No this is a woman who is self-assured.  She is not thought of as much by many.  She is a friend to everyone in their time of need, and prays for them when left with the cold-shoulder.  Often overlooked and taken for granted even by close relations, but she always rallies to the cause.  What cause you may ask?  Is it the cause of being a wife and mother?  No!  Then what?  Answering the call of the Lord first and foremost.  Yes she is a wife (and an excellent one), yes she is a mother (a worthy one), yes she is a friend (an honorable one) but her allegiance at the end of a very long day before the next one begins is to the Lord God.  Let me clue you in why this woman is so accomplished in the eyes of the Lord.  He is the first priority in her life...His ways are her ways and although she may not be perfect, she submits her failures to Him and whomever may be offended.  She is not afraid to say I am sorry nor does she shy away from confrontation.  Friends the pattern is simple, the Lord is first.  When you struggle with quantity versus quality, be sure to give the Lord your absolute best.

After the Lord, she submits to her husband, then she fills the role of mother raising her children (that is why her husband is sitting in the city gate with no worries).  Then comes others.  As a preacher, my wife is my partner in ministry but the ministry is not mine it is His.  Tending to the needs of the flock honoring the High Calling God has placed upon her is "numero Uno".  Then its me and the kids and all others.  I feel the same way and prayerfully one day my children if not called into a ministry of their own will also place God first and foremost in all things!  Not because of me, but because of the example they see put forth by their mother in allowing God to determine her priorities!  I cannot speak for everyone, but I can share that my wife Silvia, is indeed and example of a Proverbs 31 wife!  Your selfless giving of yourself and your life for others is an inspiration to me and speaks volumes about your character.  Well-Done!
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20