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LET HER OWN WORKS PRAISE HER IN THE GATES(Prov. 31: 31)

We thank God for our mothers.  God has given mothers a high and honourable calling.  The Bible records a beautiful tribute to womanhood in Proverbs 31 in which the virtuous woman is commended in her role as wife and mother.  Written in poetic form with 8 stanzas, the chapter consists of twenty-two verses, each beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  It provides a pattern for godly women to emulate if they want to be a blessing to their families and friends.  Interestingly, this passage is recited by Jewish husbands and children at the Sabbath meal every week on Friday night.  

Apart from her duties to her family, the virtuous woman was also seen making wise trading investments, and caring for the needy.  May our mothers cultivate the godly virtues of trustworthiness (vv. 10-12); industrious efforts for her family (vv. 13-15); investing wisely (vv. 16-18); providing for the poor (vv. 19-21);  supportiveness (vv. 22-24); wisdom and kindness (vv. 25-27);  the fear of the Lord (vv. 28-31). 

Recognising her godly virtues and contributions, her husband and children praised her:  “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (vv. 28-31).  Most importantly, the virtuous woman won the commendation of the Lord.  I hope the following article (slightly adapted from Life Lines - Calvary Tengah, 9th May 2010) will encourage our mothers’ hearts:

The “best dressed” woman

What am I going to wear today?  For most ladies, this is a daily dilemma because we want to look our best.  Some women consult the latest fashion magazines for hints on hairstyles, clothes and makeup.  But, believe it or not, the Bible offers tips on fashions that never go out of style.  Here are some of the requirements for the “well-dressed” woman:

1.  A gentle and quiet spirit (I Pet. 3: 3-4).  This does not mean that we must be silent or never speak our mind.

2.  Contentment (Heb. 13: 5).  We may not have a big, fancy house or the latest car, but we need to remember to count the blessings we do have and be content with them.  Nothing is uglier than a jealous spirit.

3.  A smile.  This is a reflection of a joyous heart.  Christians have every reason to be happy because we have hope above all hope (Jn. 16: 22).  Why should others desire to serve Christ if they see us wearing sad or unhappy faces?  So, don’t forget to smile.

4.  Inner peace.  (Rom. 5: 1).  God gives us strength and peace as we face life’s daily trials.  What else do we need?

5.  Confidence  …. in Christ alone, for we can do all things through Him Who strengthens us (Philp.  4: 13).  God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble (Ps. 46: 1).

6.  Kindness.  Before we act, react or speak, we should always consider the feelings of the other person.  How would you feel if you were in their shoes (Matt. 7: 2)?  Treat others kindly, gently, and with compassion.

7. Returning good for evil.  It is so easy to adopt the ‘tit for tat’ attitude, but the Bible teaches otherwise.  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom.  12: 21).  This is possible because we have been transformed by the power of God, made new ‘creatures’ in Christ Jesus so that “if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Rom. 12: 20).  

If every Christian woman remembers to wear these things daily, she will certainly be on Christ’s Honour Role!

Thank God for mothers.  May the Lord guide and strengthen all of you according to His blessed will.  We wish all our Berith mothers, “A Blessed Mothers’ Day.”                    

- Pastor

Note: We will continue with the 2nd part of “Christ’s high priestly prayer” on 22nd May.

A Mother’s love

Abuse cannot offend it; neglect cannot chill it; time cannot affect it; death cannot destroy it.  For harsh words it has gentle chiding; for a blow it has beneficent ministry; for neglect it has increasing watchfulness.

Oh, appreciate a mother’s love.  If you could only look in for an hour’s visit to her you would rouse up in the aged one a whole world of blissful memories.  What if she does sit without talking much; she watched you for months when you knew not how to talk at all.

What if she has ailments to tell about; during 15 years you ran to her with every little scratch and bruise, and she doctored your little finger as carefully as a surgeon would bind the worst fracture.

You say she is childish now; I wonder if she ever saw you when you were childish.  You have no patience to walk with her on the street; she moves so slowly.  I wonder if she remembers the time when you were glad enough to go slowly.  (T. DeWitt Talmage – Sword Junior Scrapbook)