July 31

Jul 31 - Today from Proverbs 31 we look at verse 25
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

"This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." -Eph. 5:32
From Paul's metaphor in Ephesians 5, we look at Proverbs 31:10-31 as a study of the church. Although the metaphor is different, in John 15:16, Jesus reveals in one brief statement that as the church, we have been selected by Christ, called of Him, and equipped by Him to serve with Him. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit." In Ephesians 5:31, Paul writes that when a man is united to his wife, "the two become one flesh." In John 15:4 Jesus tells His church, "Remain in me and I will remain in you. . . (you cannot) bear fruit unless you remain in me." These are not burdensome things dear saints. These are glorious truths of comfort and joy. What wife who has ever married a man of perfect love and impeccable character has found her marriage to be a burden? She is inspired by such a husband. She fully trusts in him. She finds strength and confidence in him. Her eyes are only for him. Where else does she need look for provision, security, and absolute confidence that she will be loved and cared for all the days of her life? Such is our Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ. As His bride, we are to be the wife of noble character.
We are clothed with strength and dignity. Clothing is not something on the inside - it is not an element of self. It is something that transcends self. Jesus says to His disciples (betrothed), in Luke 24:49, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Curious that Jesus would choose such a term as clothed with power. But then again, it was His Spirit that inspired the writing of Proverbs 31:25. Why wouldn't He use the term again? When a groom is betrothed to his bride, the father of the groom provides a dowry so that the young couple will have ample provision to start their new life together. The more prosperous the father, the greater the dowry. How rich do you think Jesus' Father is? Don't you believe the dowry He provided will be sufficient provision for all of life and eternity? As the church, we have been adequately empowered to be the wife of noble character, all we have to do is appropriate the power. It is not the power to dominate and subjugate. Read the section of Proverbs 31 that describes the wife of noble character again. We have been empowered to serve. Our strength is the same as that of our Groom. The Holy Spirit was not given to put on an amusing display of miracles (although He does gift for miracles as He desires). He was given to empower us to serve - to serve our Husband, to serve our family, and to serve the public. If miracles are determined to be needed by the Holy Spirit, He provides the power for that as well. We appropriate His power by remaining faithful to our Husband. When our hearts wander to self-serving ways, we grieve the Spirit. When we dishonor the Husband by implementing self-serving ways, we quench the Spirit. The remedy for either is brokenness, confession and repentance. The Spirit gives us power even for this, and we are once again restored to our beloved Husband.
She can laugh at days to come. Can the bride fear days to come when she knows and trusts in the love and ability of her Husband? Oh, there are fearful days - but the Husband has promised His bride, "I will never leave or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5). He will be with His bride, even through the most difficult and fearful of days. She can laugh because her beloved is at her side, and she knows where the journey takes them. He has given her the gift of faith as well.
How blessed we are to have such a Husband. Let us be inspired today to honor Him in our attitude, in our service, and in our faithfulness to Him.