SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. [Proverbs 31:8-9]
Lemuel reflects on the purpose of power and authority entrusted to us by God – to speak up for the poor and helpless and ensure justice; then he reflects on how that power is corrupted by excessive pleasure and immorality (sex and alcohol).
In contrast we the wife of noble character, not in a position of authority or power, yet fearing God and serving her family with integrity and faithfulness.
Lemuel seems to be contrasting the failure of the ‘exalted’ with the faithfulness of the ‘humbled’.
In the context of the whole chapter, Lemuel is expressing with Jesus expresses: The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [Matthew 23:11-12]
Jesus is not impressed by authority or power; He is more awed by little children, the women that followed Him, the humble widow giving her penny, the sinners that repented.
He chose to focus on the simple, the humble, the faithful, these are the real celebrities in His mind.
Our world idolizes the great ones, yet time and again we hear of their moral failures, how human they really are.
Nice cars, big homes, name-brand clothing, the latest and biggest technological gadgets, always in the spotlight, these things did not impress Jesus much.
He looked where we often fail to look, at the faithful service of the millions of invisible ones, the stay-at-home moms, or teachers that work in poor, inner-city schools, or people who move to third world countries and live on little to bless others, or the many uncelebrated ones who work behind the scenes that make government or church or homes or non-profits or business’s thrive.
These are the ones that Jesus sees, that Jesus celebrates.
Who do we look at, who do we celebrate, who do we admire?
Spend some time today looking for the uncelebrated heroes all around, and appreciate them.
Like the wife of noble character, their beauty is on the inside, in their hearts, not in their outward success or charm or appearance.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. [Proverbs 31:30-31]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for the noble people all around me that no one notices, also in the church. I get the spotlight often as pastor, but its the people in the church that make this ministry work.