August 31

Aug 31 - Today from Proverbs 31 we look at verse 31
"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

The wife of noble character. Although the principles set forth in this chapter are worth considering for a man who is choosing a wife, or a woman considering being a wife, I constantly relate the wife in the Proverb to the church. In light of Ephesians 5:31 & 32, the principles set forth in Proverbs 31:10-31 become applicable to all believers. Today's verse is not about her character, but about the result of her staying in character.
We, the church, have been wed to the Lord Jesus. Bound in an eternal covenant vow. He loved us even though we were unlovely. He chose us even though we were defiled. He pursued us even though we were uninterested. He redeemed us even though the cost was His cruel death on a cross. As a result, He gave us a new reputation (pure), a new status (members of the family of His Father), a new inheritance (the riches of living in God's glory), and a new future (eternal life). He is the faithful husband, promising never to leave or forsake His bride. He is the faithful provider. He is perfectly established and his position will never be usurped. Ever! He is worthy of the love and devotion of His bride. Always! The wife of noble character is virtuous and noble because she is ever aware of her husband's unconditional love, His perfect virtue, of His superior authority and position, and His undying devotion to her. He is the Head of His household, but His headship is not dictatorship. His headship is responsibility. He did not promote Himself to headship. He made a decision to be the head - and that decision cost Him more than we will ever be able to fully comprehend. He is worth being under. He is the wife's motivation and her confidence.
The characteristics of the wife of noble character are born out of love and respect for her husband. Her motivation is not self-aggrandizement. Her motivation is to support and enhance her husband's reputation. She understands that the two have become one flesh. He is her glory, and her desire is to reflect his character. Although her reward is earned, it was never her motivation. When her works are praised at the city gate, she is keenly aware that the praise reflects on her husband, and this greatly pleases her. He is greatly pleased to reward her. How Jesus loves His church!
When we gather to worship Him on Sundays, do we gather with anticipation of praising such a wonderful Husband? Do we hunger to learn more of His ways? Do we seek to reflect His love, mercy and grace in our community that He might be glorified? Do we renew our vows on a regular basis and place ourselves in remembrance of what He was willing to do that we might be pure and chaste as He is? Is He our first love? Does He have preeminence in our thoughts, our time and our activities? Are our praises heard in the city gate?
Pity the 'church' which embraces tolerance as a virtue. This is the church that claims to recognize God, but teaches that there are many paths to Him. There is only one church, and she is the devoted bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. She is to be merciful and gracious as is her Husband, but she must remain pure and faithful to Him in the process. To recognize other 'redeemers' as legitimate is betrayal and adulterous. Such a 'church' will never see her reward. She will be turned away from the wedding party and lament with those who rejected the Groom all together. To embrace more than Jesus is not to embrace Him at all. If we are going to accept His invitation to become one with Him, it's an all or nothing proposition. Those who choose 'all' do so because they have understood His worthiness. Now let us keep it before us and allow His passion to be our constant motivation. When He returns for His bride, He will be bringing His reward with Him. (Revelation 22:12).