God + me = Proverbs 31 I shall be

Right now I believe God has me embarking on a Proverbs 31 journey.  A rediscovery of the verses of this specific Proverb.  Thank you all so much for your feedback regarding Tuesday’s post.  The sentiments that I felt in my heart seemed to have been echoed in your responses.  I am filled with such excitement and such joy in anticipation and gratitude for all that God is going to do with this.

Because each of you are such a dear treasure to me, each one a precious gift that God can shape into a Proverbs 31 woman, I want you to be a witness to this journey.  In personal experiences, I have found such amazing blessing in witnessing God work in the life of one individual.

I’ve always found that God’s Word reinforces itself and confirms itself, so I want to walk through this one verse at a time, looking at different translations and seeking out verses that relate to this Proverb.

The Bible says in Psalm 19:7-8, “The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.  The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.  The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.  The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.”

It is my hope and prayer that we would seek out that revelation, the signposts, the life-maps and the directions God has for us.  May we turn our eyes and hearts upon the LORD and allow Him to shape us, mold us and transform us.

“A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.”  Proverbs 31:10 NIV

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.” Proverbs 31:10 Message

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?  She is more precious than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 NLT

How many of us long to be known as a woman of noble character, a good woman, a virtuous woman?   I am guilty of desiring that.  I so deeply long for those in my life to speak of me using those words.  I want my family to value me as if I am worth far more than diamonds and rubies.

I easily fall into seeking out those words from people in my life; doing things that will earn me those earthly accolades.  What about God?  Shouldn’t He be the only one that I am seeking to hear those words from?  Aren’t I suppose to live for an audience of one, the One?

How do I become a noble wife in God’s eyes?

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”  Ephesians 5:22

“She who guards her mouth and her tongue keeps herself from calamity”       Proverbs 21:23

“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”  Matthew 5:41

“The greatest among you will be your servant”  Matthew 23:11

Here’s the messages that resonate in my heart from these verses.  Submit to the Lord and serve Him.  In the same way I sacrifice my selfish comfort for Him, sacrificially lavish my husband in respect.  God I’m going to need help on getting the timing right on that.

Carefully select my words.  Use them to uplift people and not to tear them down.  Remind me God that I am the one who’s words will greatly lift or greatly hurt my husband.

When there’s something I do not want to do, but I go out of obligation. God help me go above and beyond the minimum expectation.

Be a servant, don’t expect to be served.  Be a servant.   Be a servant.  Be a servant.  God, direct my actions so I may overcome my feelings to serve with radical obedience to You.

Oh God, I long to be more precious than rubies or diamonds.  Remind me with Your Word.

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.”  Genesis 2:18

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.”  Genesis 1:27

“You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.”         Psalm 139:5

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” Song of Songs 2:1

Each of us were created in God’s own image.  His hand was placed upon us when we were created.  God has gone before us.  He comes behind us, always reminding us that we are more important to Him than the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

Dear LORD,

Please help us to come to You today.  May we bring whatever we have to You, be it a meager or abundant amount.  Help us to just come to You.  May it be from our love and desire to be with You that we can live out the instructions that we have been given.

May You find a beautiful home within each of our hearts.  May You make them a place You will call home.  Let Your light shine through them offering love, comfort and compassion to those in our lives.

May we be open to receiving Your messages so that we can hear You remind us that we are more precious than rubies or diamonds.

Amen