[Christian Fellowship]Devotional - 98-09-25 - No Pretense

The Virtuous Woman Series, Part 17

Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing, she shall rejoice in time to come

Websters dictionary defines honor:

noun

  1. good name, reputation
  2. privilege
  3. a person of superior standing - used especially as a title
  4. one who brings respect or fame
  5. an evidence or symbol of distinction
  6. chastity, purity
  7. integrity (synonymns are: homage, reverence, deference, obeisance)

verb

  1. to regard or treat with honor
  2. to confer honor on
  3. to fulfill the terms of: to accept as payment

"Once upon a time, in a land far away there was a king who was very vain. This king wore only the finest clothing, ate the choicest meats, and saw only the elite people. Unfortunately, his 'royal' ways proved costly to him and those around him.

One day, two men came to the king and told him that they would weave him some clothing out the finest gold cloth that could only be seen by wise people. Of course the king wanted to be surrounded by only the wisest people! He told the men to commence and made sure that they had all of the gold thread that they needed....."

I'm sure you've heard this Brothers' Grimm story. The men hid the gold, and pretended to weave cloth when, in fact, there was never anything in their spindle nor their loom. There was no thread in the needle, nothing. It was a sham.

The king, not wanting anyone to know that he was not wise, proved foolish in pretending that he could see and feel the invisible cloth. All of the people around him also pretended that they could see this invisible cloth.

Finally the king, in all of his vanity, paraded through the town with nothing covering him except his foolishness. All of the people, covered in their pretenses, exclaimed over the "beautiful artistry of the weavers." No one wanted to appear foolish by not seeing this invisible magical cloth that wasn't there. Finally, a small boy shouted, "He's wearing nothing! He's naked!"

The king was exposed. The wise men were exposed. All of the people knew that they were exposed. The king was naked. No more pretense. The sham was uncovered.

1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself, If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise

The wise woman is clothed in strength and honor. She knows what is real and what is not. She lives what is right. No pretense for the woman of God. The joy of the Lord is her strength and because she honors Him, He covers her with honor.

Father God, I thank You that You are a God Who is willing to cover Your servants with Your honor. Father, help me to be real today. Lord, I ask that You would speak through me to other people around me. Be my lips, my feet and my hands. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that cover me. I shall rejoice in time to come because of You. Amen

Sandi