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Do You Know A Proverbs 31 Woman? I Do!
“When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back” (Proverbs 19:17 GNT).
Scripture is full of stories of women that have played essential roles in advancing the work of our Lord. These prominent women include the Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Miriam the prophetess, Deborah the judge, Huldah the prophetess, Rahab, Esther, and many more. Many of these women are recognized in the Faith Hall of Fame found in Hebrews 11.
Proverbs 31 describes the many virtues of Godly woman. The Proverbs 31 woman can be commended for all the wonderful things she does, what is most important is that she loves the Lord. She lives her entire life to honor and serve Him. This and this alone is what makes her a virtuous woman.
I recently enjoyed coffee with my good friend Mark. As we discussed how God has blessed us, I told him that he was particularly blessed because his wife is a Proverbs 31 woman. Her love for the Lord is evident in all that she says and does. If you spend five minutes with her, she will tell you what God has done for her today. As I speak with her, my mind is often drawn to Luke 6:45 “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Her heart is full of a love for God. She lives a Spirit-led life, and the Fruits are manifested in her love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
My Sunday school class has been watching a series of videos entitled Pearls by Kristi McLelland. In a recent episode, Rev. McLelland emphasized the need to “zachar” as a means of moving forward. The word “zachar” is a Hebrew word that means to remember. The Jewish people would often take time to look back and remember God’s faithful presence in their lives and that would help them to move forward through difficult times in the present. The Psalmist was remembering God’s past faithfulness when he wrote, “My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember You (Psalm 42:6).
As I speak with my friend’s wife, I often hear the zachar in her words. If a storm is coming, she will talk about how God rebuilt her house after the flood of 2016. If her car needs a major engine work, she will mention that the car itself was a gift from one of God’s angels. None of her present problems are impossible because she remembers her past victories, which she quickly and wisely attributes to God.
Her life is dedicated to loving God and her neighbor (e.g., everybody). She is not rich by secular standards, but she is rich beyond measure because of her continual efforts to store up her treasure in heaven. In fact, Scripture says that a Proverbs 31 wife of noble character is “worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).
There are few things in this fallen world of which I have confidence. However, I am confident that when this kind lady is Healed and meets the Father, she will pass on the right Hand of God with the other sheep. How do I know this? Because she is actively serving the least, the lost, and the hurt. God commands us in Matthew 25:34-36 to show compassion, kindness, and hospitality to all, particularly those on the fringes of society. The Word says, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’” (Matthew 25:34-36). This is her calling in life. It is real and powerful.
We all know that there is a gap between asking God for something and receiving it. This is the inevitable period of waiting. During this period, I have seen this Proverbs 31 woman living out Proverbs 3:5, which teaches, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Initially I was not sure how this woman was so successful in her prayers. Then I finally realized that she is also living out the instruction of the Psalmist. “Delight yourself in the ways of the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).” Her prayers are answered because she wants the same thing for her life and her family that God wants for her and her family.
Do you know a Proverbs 31 woman? I am blessed that I do. Her name is Vickie Lubbock, and there is no stronger solider in God’s army than this Proverbs 31 woman.
I can’t think of a better conclusion than the last three verses from Proverbs 31.
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:29-31)
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for all the Proverbs 31 women of the past, present, and future. Their life is a powerful witness to your enduring love and grace. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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