Day Thirty-One
Proverbs 31:12 (Dissected and Defined):
She will do him good and not evil (mischief) all the days of her life.
Daily Devo Paraphrase: Proverbs 31:12 is a character sketch of the virtuous woman. Earlier in the chapter, we saw that this woman is hard to find; she is as rare as rubies!
A word that stands out to me in this Proverb is the word “all.” This woman does her husband good all the days of her life. Good is a very interesting word. The Bible says that “…in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing…” (Rom. 7:28). There is nothing in our natural man (or woman) that is good.
So, how can we do our spouses good every day, all day, if we can’t be good? Well, the Bible says that the steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord (Ps. 37:23).
How can I get my steps ordered by the Lord? I must be led of His Spirit. For the fruit of the Spirit is...GOODNESS! The supernatural outcome of my yielding to the Spirit is the ability to be good or virtuous, not in my power but in His Power!
I believe the characteristics of this woman are only attainable to those who yield to the Hidden Life. I also believe the virtuous woman is a picture of a developing Spirit-led woman (yet it applies to us men, as well). A virtuous woman is defined as “one who is morally good.” How does she become virtuous? God does the work! How does she remain virtuous? God does the work!
She can be good, every day, all day to her husband (and he to her) only as she yields to the developing Spirit that lies within her.
God has called us all to a life of virtue, not just women. That virtue comes only through His divine Power. II Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath [He] given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
His Power to obtain virtue comes through your intimate, personal knowledge of Him. Not about Him—but of Him! He’s the Doctor, I’m His patient. I guess the old saying is true. A “patient” can be a “virtue.”
