She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31: 20-22, NKJV.
Gracious God, we delight to be in Your presence and to learn from Your Word. So please help us to hear the message that You have for us today. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
The message that these texts bring to my heart, is, I believe, one of utmost importance to all wives and mothers. This is a message I preach, and one that I try to live, to the best of my ability. That message is, that, your first, and most important mission field, is your home. E. G. White says it this way: “Our work for Christ is to begin with the family, in the home. . . . There is no missionary field more important than this. . . .” (The Adventist Home, p. 35). When, as wives and mothers, we sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn from Him what is His will for us. we will have the wisdom to minister to the “poor” and others in need, without neglecting our home duties, which, in the eyes of God, are sacred. Today, we will develop our devotional slightly differently. We will look at our duties to others, to our children, and to ourselves. This of course, does not represent the order of importance.
“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.“ Any person who has a personal, and intimate, relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, cannot help but be mindful of, “the least of these” (Matthew 25: 40). This wife and mother, obviously knows the Lord! So far we have seen her exercise wisdom, dexterity, charity, and many other gifts, talents, and noble traits of character. Yesterday, we observed how she even “provides a portion for her maidservants.” Now, that kindness is extended beyond the confines of her home, to the “poor” and “needy.” If our lives are lived in accordance with the will of God, we will most likely find the time to do His biddings, without neglecting our duties to our families. Usually, if we must choose between the mission field on the outside, and the mission field at home, this might be an indication that something is out of order. We might need to take a look at the way our priorities are set up. I do not believe that there should even be a question regarding which is of greater importance. It should be self evident.
“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.” In an earlier devotional we saw her working with flax and wool, and came to the conclusion that it must have been wintertime. She takes good care of her family. Her priorities are set in place, and therefore, there is no need to fear. When winter arrives, she is ready to meet it, because she has made previous preparation. I can take some “brushing up” in this area. I need to learn how to keep ahead of the game. I tend to procrastinate. Please help me pray about this!
This wife and mother, while living in the summer, was making provision for the winter. This concept is helpful, applied across the board. In the warmth of youth, we should be making provision for the cold winds of old age! This would help to eliminate some of the fear we tend to feel when we think about aging.
“She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.” I do not know how many of you like tapestry. I certainly do! I do not know how to make it, but I am an ardent admirer of it. What appeals to me the most, is its richness! It is rich in texture, color, design! Someone made me a gift of two pieces of the most beautiful tapestry! I have not framed them as yet. I want to find the perfect frame, and someone who can do the work perfectly! I appreciate these pieces that much! This wife and mother has made some tapestry, just “for herself.” This is very healthy! The Scriptures did not say that she made it to hang on the wall, or to cover the chairs (although she may use it to do either of these). The idea is that she did it for her enjoyment, her delight, her satisfaction! Jesus said, that we should love others as we love ourselves. Some of the most genuinely loving people that I know, are people who are comfortable in their own skins. They love themselves. This wife obviously loves herself as much as she loves others. Good for her!
But here is where it really gets good! “[H]er clothing is fine linen and purple[!]” The color of royalty! She knows who she is! Whether a stay-at-home mom, whose duty is to take care of hubby, the children, and the home; or, if she is an entrepreneur who works from home, while taking care of her family, she knows that she is a child of the King of kings! Hallelujah! What a difference it would make, if all women, single, widowed, divorced, or married; mothers or childless; engaged or not; in whatever situation they find themselves, regardless of what others have told them, is telling them, or think about them, would recognize in themselves – royalty! No one would be allowed to abuse them, or manipulate them, or brainwash them, because they would know who they are, and would begin to assume the role!
Woman, you are royalty! By God’s grace, believe it, and live it!
NOTE: These counsels are shared from a Biblical, not a clinical, perspective.