A Hearts' Cry
31 Day Devotional
The Proverbs 31 Woman
I would like to dedicate this devotional to my daughter and friend, Rachael Ann Frye. Of all the many women that I know, her heart best exemplifies and portrays the Proverbs 31 woman.
All scripture verses used are taken from The Amplified Bible unless otherwise stated.
Proverbs 31:10-31
A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
She seeks out wool and flax with willing hands [to develop it].
She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].
She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt and distrust].
She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind or spirit].
She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants, girdles [of sashes that free one up for service].
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
She looks well to know how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip, discontent and self pity] she will not eat.
Her children shall rise and call her blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her (saying),
Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly,and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
What a beautiful portion of Scripture. But who understands it and how does it apply to our lives? Oftentimes, it is easier to dismiss many sections of the Old Testament because it appears to be nothing more than poetry, or stories, or may be just too hard to understand. However, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 points out...Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
So, what can we glean from the Proverbs 31 woman? The same attributes that the Proverbs 31 woman portrays are the same attributes that we have in our own lives. Yet, how are these qualities discernible today?
This 31 day devotional is based on 31 attributes of the Proverbs woman and how it relates to us. In addition, it speaks of how we can use these qualities, through God, to reflect His Son, so that others might know Him...
Patti Campbell-Jensvold/2002