The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day seven)  

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. vs 30

Peter Drucker (management expert) once said that the four hardest jobs in America are president of the United States, president of a university, CEO of a hospital, and pastor of a church. I do not doubt the first three have their share of difficulties, but I know and have seen the difficulties in pastoring a church. I am grateful FBCSA has a great pastor and pastoral staff, aren’t you?

But do you know who bears the brunt of the difficulties of this job? The spouses of these ministers. We (the ministers) wear many different hats, we are often busy on major holidays, and we work very, very odd office hours. It is our spouses who feel this weight more than any one else. Without their support and encouragement, we could not do what we do! These women (who fear the Lord) deserve praise!

So if you see a pastor’s wife today, make sure to thank her for all that she does!

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day six)

The “Woman of Valor” in Proverbs 31 is not a consumer. That much is clear. Consumers always look to add to their portfolio. If they don’t feel like they get what they are entitled to, they move on to somewhere else. Not so with the “Woman of Valor.” She takes the raw ingredients she has received and puts them to work,  producing a return for everyone around her.

Wisdom is not passive. It does not wait to be served or complain about what it deserves. Instead, it actively works, not for personal gain, but for the betterment of others. Wisdom is not a bystander; it is a contributor.

Are you a consumer or a contributor?

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day five)  

When we read, listen, process, and ponder, we like to have our information given to us in this order- cause then effect. The cause sheds lights on all the listed effects. There’s less tension. Fewer needed questions. Minimal investigation.

Here, in this last chapter of Proverbs, the writer goes from effect to cause. Did you feel and sense the pressure and suspense created by this reordering?  Who lives like this?  How is a life like this possible?  I don’t think I can do half of these things. The effects are crystal clear- spelled out in a beautifully written acrostic poem. So, what is the cause? We are now on the edge of our seats. Verse 30, “a woman who fears the Lord”.  Someone who has an abiding and reverent obedience to God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit.

For what God is his wisdom requires of us, that in Christ through His Spirit he also give us. – David Atkinson

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day four)

Solomon ends this book of wisdom with a poem. In Hebrew, it would read as an acrostic poem, each line beginning with a successive letter of the alphabet. He uses this poetry to perfectly sum up the godly wisdom he has given throughout the book, and offers us a picture of this wisdom put into action. The short and sweet, pithy sayings we’ve studied now become embodied.

We met Lady Wisdom in chapter 1 and have followed her closely, but in this summary it’s difficult to discern where Lady Wisdom ends and where the real life “excellent wife” begins. But I think that’s the point. This chapter isn’t meant to be an impossible to-do list for women, or a how-to for domestic life, it’s meant to show us a picture of wisdom in action.

When someone reads Proverbs 1:7 and takes it seriously, this is the kind of life that becomes possible for them. Godly wisdom allows us to live like the “woman of valor” – working hard, moving in holy confidence, helping those around us to flourish, teaching truth in love. Through the power of the Spirit, wisdom takes hold in our lives and changes the way we live. As we end this study, may we consider how wisdom can grow from the seeds of thought into the fruit of action.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day three)

“Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.”

When chapter 31 begins, the Bible explains that this closing section on noble character in a woman was taught to King Lemuel by his mother. It pleased God to ordain that this wisdom from this wise woman he created occupy this place in scripture. And what do these words reveal? That God has made sure that a woman’s worth does not come from whom she attaches herself to. Her worth does not come from the standards the world system devises – and certainly not from standards that society declares her body must meet. Her works will praise her. What comes from within her will say enough. Jesus affirmed it: what is external to a person doesn’t generate uncleanness, but rather what comes from within a person.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day two)

The metaphor of the church being the bride of Christ is one that is often discussed when studying the Song of Solomon. Let’s take a moment to consider the same metaphor when looking at this passage in Proverbs. We, as the church, should strive for this standard of life. Our reputation should be one of industriousness, compassion, purity, and love. These qualities are often held up as a barometer for a good spouse, but how often have we considered these as benchmarks for the church. If we diligently strive to serve the Lord in all the ways in which he has created us, consider the impact in the world. Consider how this will please the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 27:17 (day seven) 

The sharpening of iron insinuates a sword or knife. Though there are multiple uses for these objects, the one that jumps into our minds is weaponry. Could it be that Solomon wanted to point out to us that we are being shaped for warfare? However you may take this text, accountability, discipleship, or correction, it is evident that our purpose is to be ready for an attack.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day where we will celebrate the immanence of the Holy Spirit. With that, we recognize that there is a Spirit at work within us. However, there is a spirit at work in the world that is working against the Holy Spirit and desires nothing more than to go into battle against dull blades. Here are the questions we should be asking ourselves this morning: How is your blade being sharpened? Will it be able to defend against an attack of the enemy?

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 27:17 (day six)

“God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of man.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together.

This has been true from the beginning, as we were made in God’s image. We were made to speak God’s Word, and therefore, we were made to receive his Word from one another. This also means that one of our greatest needs is to hear God’s Word from a brother or sister and for them to hear from us.

Let me ask you, of all the words you will speak today to your family, friend, or neighbor, how many will be God’s words?