But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised

Greetings to our dear sisters in the most precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the Lord God bless you and your family and bring peace and prosperity.

The title verse is taken from the famous chapter 31 of Proverbs from the Holy Bible. This chapter speaks virtues of a good woman. It also says “who can find such a virtuous woman as his wife” ? ( Proverbs 31: 10). But when you pray to God and obey your parents, then the Lord will bring the perfect spouse and will bless you. What I have understood in my three decades of married life is that God not only blesses in holy matrimony but also mold us into an ideal couple in Him. He is capable of making us into His desired vessels,  useful for many. Only thing, we have to always submit to the Lord, obey our parents and our dear Lord Jesus.

This message is not about choosing or finding a virtuous woman ( or man) but is all about how a virtuous woman turns her home into the garden of Eden, with God’s abounding presence and grace. Please believe this: He is capable of blessing all our homes, equally, without exception !

First, she (the virtuous woman) creates trust with her husband by being faithful. It is written the heart of her husband safely trusts her: without any ambiguity. The result: “So he will have no lack of gain” (verse 11), Because she is his valuable treasure ! She seeks only his welfare and good all the days of her life. Imagine,  how beautiful and joyful such a family will be.

She is always active and this dynamism catches up all in the family. The entire family gets motivated and driven by her agile spirit. Like a merchant ship, she brings food from afar ( verse 14). A healthy and timely food nourishes the family and keeps them away from all illness. This would also mean spiritual food which is the “word of God”. I remember as a small child, my mother being a teacher, every day used to get up by about four in the morning, take her bath, cook breakfast and lunch, arrange morning prayer, keep  all of us (four of us were there !) ready for school, and by 8.30 am in the morning we will all leave for the school by walk , which was about a kilo meter away. Not even once I remember, she has missed this schedule, unless sick, when my father would don her role, ever smiling and  never complaining. As on date she has turned ninety, but still very active and agile by His grace, healthy enough to take  care of herself. And every night, when she cooks rice, she will cook some extra rice. Come early morning, there will be some one in the street seeking “ Amma, Neeraharam” (cooked rice kept in water overnight and served). I wish to add that both parents were teachers and drawing meagre salaries those days. It is the heart that matters.

Most importantly, she is not afraid of snow for her household; For all her household is clothed in scarlet. “snow” may be a metaphor for adversity and “scarlet” always stands for God’s people clothed with the blood of Jesus. For He said: Fear not, you are mine”. This is all because she is a prayer warrior and leads her family in prayer diligently.

She is clothed with strength and honour. Most importantly she opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness”(Verse 26).

What is the end result to have such a woman holding the office of “the lady of the house” ? :

• Her children rise up and call her blessed ( v 28) . They themselves end up as blessed  adults into the society.
• Her husband praises her that she has excelled all . But more importantly he sits in the city gate with prominent men, because of the family blessing.

Most importantly, she fears the Lord. Now what kind of blessings the fear of the Lord gives is embedded through the many Bible characters who lived a righteous life ( righteousness itself stems from  the fear of the Lord).

Dear sisters, ponder over these questions as a family :

• When did the last time I sat with my husband and had a open ended talk in good spirit. Do we spend everyday in prayer together to look upon the Lord ?
• Do you talk to your children everyday after school, how they have fared (not only academic), their issues, and give good counsel ? Do you lead them every day in prayer and teach them the Lord’s ways?
• Do you as a family all spend time together in prayer everyday and read the word of God and meditate on them ?

In this we can gain deep insights into the family situation and can steer the boat in the right direction with His grace. It will become a joyful family in the Lord.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: 

but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates 

                                               (Proverbs 31 : 30-31)

Prayer:

Dear God,

Please give us the strength as the Lady of the house to be a good wife, mother and prayer warrior. Give us the wisdom to walk in your righteousness and also lead the family in prayer and away from any evil. Annoint us to have the Lord’s wisdom to guard our tongue and be wise. Give us the humility to fear and obey You always in everything and every time.

We thank you for conferring these blessings on us and our family.

We pray in Jesus name.

Amen.

God’s Love Missions Family