GOD's Perfect Woman "A Woman of Praise"

	Proverbs 31:31 "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."
	What completes a Proverbs 31 woman? Her crown is that she "fears the Lord" Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days. Proverbs 14:26,27 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence ... The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life. Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

	In order to study "a woman that feareth the Lord" we must first understand what it means to fear God. What is "the fear of God"? It is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father's law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet, that hence springs an earnest desire to please Him. Websters Dictionary says fear is an holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such an holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. Some versions of the Bible use the word "reverence" in place of "fear" when referring to the fear of God. But that isn't strong enough. God is NOT your buddy, or pal, the friendly man upstairs, or just the Man from Galilee. Reverence is part of this fear, but this interpretation is not consistent with those Scriptures which also include the word "tremble" We cannot fully appreciate what it means to fear God if we dilute it to a kind of polite respect. We should think of the fear of God as a holy dread of displeasing Him. The fear of God we speak of is not synonymous with terror, horror or alarm. God has not given us "the spirit of fear" ... 2 Tim. 1:7. Rather, it is a fear born of the realization of who God is and what He is. Fearing the Lord, means literally being afraid of displeasing God, who is holy, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is all these things in their perfect, absolute state. He and His authority cannot be treated lightly. In the midst of all this holiness and majesty God is equally loving and forgiving. He is complete in His judgment of sin but gentle in His treatment of repentant sinners. His love and forgiveness are readily available for those who receive Him as their personal Lord and Saviour. For the Christian there is a right and a wrong kind of fear. He must fear God and he must not fear man. Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid of what man can do unto me.

	There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who fear God and do not fear man. Those who fear man and do not fear God. Why should we fear God? We have said because of who He is, but there are more reasons ... We should fear Him because to do so pleases Him. Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. We should fear Him because it is our duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. This attitude of reverence and awe is due the Creator from His creatures. We should fear Him because of the many promises of blessings there are to those who do fear God. He expresses such a longing that His children would fear Him. Why? For their own good! Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me and keep my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

	Why is it we're so afraid to trust God with the everyday aspect of our lives and yet we've trusted him with the future destiny of our soul? Let Him be angry for you Let Him take the bitterness, envy, etc. Let Him take it when others hurt you. He wants to take these things for us, and He blesses us when we allow Him to. A woman who fears God will be honored by all who appreciate value. The virtuous woman is guided and ruled by God's principles. Favor and beauty are two characteristics most women seek. A woman of charm is pleasant to be with and a woman of beauty is refreshing to watch but neither make a woman of value. Charm can manipulate and be deceitful while beauty can tempt and ruin virtue and honor. Winning words and charming manners will draw those who admire beauty and charm; but without true character praise will soon be turned into contempt, but the godly God-fearing woman has an abiding peace and joy and receives deserved, sincere praise. Some women are praised above what they deserve, but those who praise the Proverbs woman "give her of the fruit of her hands." They give her that which she has dearly earned and is justly due to her. She does not applaud herself but accepts praise from others. Her good works will proclaim her praise as her relatives and friends observe her.

	The success of the Proverbs woman is her relationship to the Lord Receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Let your life be controlled by the Holy Spirit through prayer. Read the Word of God - it will produce a joyful heart, a thankful spirit, and a submissive attitude. The Holy Spirit is a gentle teacher He will lead you along as fast as you will allow Him to. He will shed light on the areas of your life that you need to give to God. He will never force you to go against your will - the choice is yours. God is not near as hard on us as we are on ourselves. But, once light has been shown on something, we are accountable for what we've been made aware of. Yielding to the Holy Spirit involves a process of discipline. Are you walking in the spirit, or living in the flesh? Some people can hide their sins of the flesh. We can not quit sinning. We are only able to curb it, it cannot be cured. Here is a simple pattern to follow when praying: A - Adoration, or worship of God. C - Confession of sin is necessary T - Thanksgiving to God. S - Supplication is making our requests known to God. Adoration is concerned with the worship of God; Confession with our faults; Thanksgiving with blessings Supplication with needs. Another formula for "becoming a woman that feareth the Lord" M - Meet God in daily prayer A - Allow time each day for reading the Word of God T - Turn every moment of your life over to God in obedience U - Understand you are to witness daily by words and actions R - Rejoice that the Holy Spirit is in your life, indwelling and empowering you E - Enjoy your Christian experience Through "A.C.T.S." you can become a "M.A.T.U.R.E." Christian woman. What greater praise and reward could you desire in this life than the consciousness that you have done your best for your Saviour?

	Pages in the study of GOD's PERFECT WOMAN [ Woman of Virtue | Woman of Trust | Woman of Energy ] [ Woman of Beauty | Woman of Stewardship | Woman of Service ] [ Woman of Preparedness | Woman of Prudence | Woman of Love ] [ Woman of Praise ]   Return to Bible Studies or Cathy's World Index   © 2001 - Cathy