August 23

Proverbs 31
Psalm 94

Proverbs 31 has long been one of my favorite passages to read. The woman described in this reading is amazing indeed. She takes care of her family, she carries out a successful business, she is respected and loved by her husband and children. At the conclusion, the writer says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Out of all the things this woman has done, this is the real heart of the matter because I think it gives the reason she lives her life the way she - she loves the LORD. She realizes that charm and beauty are fleeting; it is only what is done for God that endures. As mothers, our words and actions can be a reflection of God’s love for our children, or they can cause immeasurable harm. Recently a friend of mine told of an elderly acquaintance of hers who doesn’t want anything to do with God or church. He told her his mother had “forced” church on him in childhood and, once he left home, he refused to have anything more to do with church or God. It’s sad because, no doubt, this mother meant well - it is, perhaps, the difference between pushing your children to Christ and leading your children to Christ. The woman in Proverbs 31 sets a godly example for her children.  Her love and care for her household are a reflection of God’s love and care for His children.

Psalm 94 speaks of the arrogance of the wicked - after outlining some of the many horrible things the wicked do the writer says, “They (the wicked) say, ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.’” It may seem like that to them as they “get away” with horrible deed after terrible action, but as the writer points out God, who created the eye, does see and God, who made the ear, does hear. Let no one fool himself that God is not aware of what is going on in His world. Even the most wicked person can repent and be forgiven, but first that person must recognize that God does see and hear what has been done.