Friday (A Proverb a Day)

Proverbs 31 is one of the better-known Proverbs because of the emphasis in churches for women to emulate the woman described in this chapter.

Friday (A Proverb a Day)

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus.

- Pastor Danny

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised."

(Proverbs 31:30, CSB)

Proverbs 31 is one of the better-known Proverbs because of the emphasis in churches for women to emulate the woman described in this chapter. There are ministries named after the Proverbs 31 woman, and there are many sermons preached on this chapter. If this Proverb deals primarily with the characteristics of a godly woman, does it really need to be read every month that has a 31st day in it?

The answer is ABSOLUTELY! 100% YES! If you have not already read Proverbs 31 today, go ahead and read it.

Let's start by realizing that what we read yesterday, Proverbs 30:5a, is enough reason on its own for us to read Proverbs 31 and learn from the pure Word of God. I believe there is something to learn from Proverbs 31 for every person!

To the husband: If you are both followers of Jesus, and you know you have a godly wife, when was the last time you encouraged your wife because the characteristics you see in Proverbs 31 are also in your wife? When was the last time you praised your wife for fearing the Lord? I know when I read Proverbs 31, it makes me absolutely grateful for my wife Kyndall. This past year it has been even more amazing to watch her be a mom to Tabor and Miller. Proverbs 31 stirs in my heart an appreciation to the Lord for what a gift He has given me in Kyndall and makes me appreciate my sweet wife even more! Husbands, Proverbs 31 is for you!

To the wife: Proverbs 31 offers great guidelines as to what "the woman who fears the Lord" looks like. (That is what the header of the ESV says for Proverbs 31). If this is what the woman who fears the Lord looks like or does, then one should try to take the principles from Proverbs 31 and apply them to their own life. I don't believe Proverbs 31 is a checklist for obtaining godliness for yourself, though, because as a follower of Jesus, you are a new creation and are made godly because of Christ's finished work on the cross. I believe Proverbs 31 can be a good heart check or framework to see how your fear of the Lord looks in any season of life. Wives, Proverbs 31 is for you!

To the single person: as a woman, this is what you want to strive to be; as a man, this is what you strive to find. To the woman: fear the Lord and live out the principles of Proverbs 31 so that you attract a man who wants a Proverbs 31 woman. To the man: this chapter makes it plain and clear what a godly woman looks like, so go after that type of woman, and don't dip your standards. Single man or woman, Proverbs 31 is for you!

Today: Whether you are a husband, a wife, or a single person, Proverbs 31 is for you!