*Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31 (NKJV)* 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
*Devotion* “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Prov. 31:30) Oh, how often I heard these words as a young man! Oh, how often I thought, “Why not all of it? Why not the fear of the Lord, plus a good share of that beauty and charm stuff?” Of course, the point of the Scripture is to raise the issue of priorities, and the point of my youthful questions was to avoid that point! It is important, especially for our single people, to prioritize the fear of the Lord in the people they date (or court) and eventually marry. There is nothing wrong with a “Wow! Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!” reaction. We should find our spouses desirable. But our homes are to be outposts of the Kingdom of God on Earth. Our homes are mission fields, and our children are those we are to bring to the Lord. Prioritize the fear of the Lord! Moreover, these words apply to the Holy Christian Church, the Bride of Christ, and to each of our congregations as miniatures thereof. It does not matter so much if we meet in nice sanctuaries with pews, or in a garage on folding chairs. It matters that we fear the Lord, that we repent of our sins, trust in Christ’s atonement for our forgiveness, gladly hear and learn His Word, and receive His saving gifts. God grant us His Holy Spirit, that we may trust in the Lord Christ with all our hearts. Rev. Dcn. Jerry Dulas, as eCourier of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America
_______________________________________________ Sermons mailing list [email protected] http://cat41.org/mailman/listinfo/sermons
