CHARACTER
Suggested Reading: Proverbs 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On display in the Archaeological Museum in Pella, Greece, is a golden leaf crown. This was created to resemble the wreath of leaves placed on the head of Olympic champions. Of course the Emperor had to have one made of Gold. Today's reading should help us all strive to be the best we can be with God's Spirit working 24/7 within us.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 31:10-11
Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
It’s interesting that at the close of Solomon’s collection of proverbs he would suggest that wisdom is summed up in the character of a mother and a wife. Could it be that he was describing his own mother and the wife of his father David? Remember they had repented of their sin. David and Bathsheba’s first child died at birth, and Solomon was their #2 child. No doubt Bathsheba shared in the words of repentance found in Psalm 51. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that King Lemuel, who wrote this chapter, was Solomon himself and that Lemuel was one of Solomon’s names which means, “One who comes from God.” Wesley notes, “Perhaps David and Bathsheba, as a pledge of their reconciliation with God, gave Solomon this name, along with others, to remind him of his obligation to God.” It’s very possible that in Solomon’s eyes, his mother Bathsheba became the “virtuous wife” he describes. We serve a God who redeems the fallen and who, by His Holy Spirit, develops character so that a person, made in God’s image, can change and grow into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” For a New Testament reading check out Ephesians 4:12-16.
O.K. so women reading this may say, “What about the character of a man or a husband?” Our next book to read in this series is “Ecclesiastes.” That book is a cry from Solomon, a man in despair, who says, “Please help me!” To all women reading this, we men recognize we need lots of help. Please pray fervently for us!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray with my whole being for Your help to fulfill all the potential that You desire to develop in me. Help me to be honest, virtuous and honourable. May the character of Jesus grow more and more in me, not by my own efforts alone, but by Your Spirit filling me, changing me, and growing me until I come into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The body of the former President of South Africa lies in state as I write this. Over the years I have read extensively about Nelson Mandela, as well as reading his own writings. He grew not only as a boy in stature, but as a man in character. Here is a quote from The Toronto Star, “For many, he will always be the lion who walked out of a white man’s prison and into South Africa’s presidency.” The current President, Jacob Zuma, said, “His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity earned him their love.” Mandela said on one occasion, “One thing 27 years in prison taught me was to use the silence of solitude to realize how precious words are.” Reading this and thousands of Mandela’s other words has caused me to strive to do a better job of using words here on my blog. If I may have the indulgence of my readers, I’ll go well over my goal of 100 words in this blog.
I’ve been asked to say something about Mandela on the 100 Huntley Street telecast this Tuesday. I have not heard yet in the media about the prayer life of Mandela. I’ve read that during his years in prison with just bread and water for breakfast, he would lift the bread to God and say, I receive this in remembrance of Your body, Lord Jesus, and with the water, “I receive this in remembrance of Your blood.” This would have been in keeping with his Wesleyan Methodist upbringing. Then he would be taken outside to the hard labour which they required of him. I saw a photo in a Toronto newspaper from just before Mandela was elected President. I’m searching for it in vain as of this morning. It was of Mandela, DeKlerk, President at the time of South Africa, and Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the Zulu people, kneeling together during a prayer meeting. A bloody civil war was averted, and a week later Mandela was President. Rev. Michael Cassidy was the organizer of prayer meetings all over South Africa, crying out to God for His intervention and for a peaceful transition of power. I found a message from Cassidy online and I recommend that you watch at least the last part of it (fast forward to 11:50, unless you want to watch the whole message – click here). Could Mandela’s deep and mainly private relationship with God have been the secret of his amazing strength of character? I leave this for you to judge.
Yours for becoming all we can be with the great help of God’s Spirit dwelling within us,
David
I thank God daily for the enormous compassion, love and forgiveness He has bestowed upon me. For as I walked as an unbeliever, He believed in me, that one day I would believe in Him. Jesus does change lives. Amen! Have a blessed day blog-buddies!
Pay the deepest respect and honor to former Prime Minister, Nelson Mandella. Such a meek( strength under control) and loving man and left his people and the world a better place to live in. He was still in prison when I was in his land. Inspiring and informative blog, today David and prayed your prayer as always. God bless everyone today. Lovely bright sunny day in the Maritimes.
Father God
I pray not only David’s prayer that you continue to heal in mind body and spirit as well
God bless you and your family’s today
Lianne Hogg
Mandella truly knew God. An amazing person who used his pain and punishment to draw closer to God.
A christian woman really is wisdom personified and more rare than gold.
Im merely human
Made of clay
Help ,me Lord
To be what you
Want me to be
Today in every way .
Oh how much we need Jesus to live His life through us God Helpme to be that virtuous woman , thank you David for your words ofwisdom and we tnank the Lord for giving you strength and healing inJesus name Amen 🙂
Yes, no doubt in my mind Dr. Mandela’s deep and mainly private relationship with God, gave him all the tenacity and fortitude, both politically and spiritually, he needed. Looking forward to hearing you talk on the subject Tuesday, David!
I agree with your appeal to woman in our lives for help in balancing our strength of character, as we enter Ecclesiastes and openly reflect upon our beings. Proverbs beautifully summarized the virtues of a woman’s unique character and value in everyone’s lives. Love and respect. Blessings and cheer to all!
WOW!!! The message from Michael Cassidy regarding the prayer meeting – That was indeed nothing short of a miracle.
Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!!!!! AMEN!!!!
Rev Michael Cassidy, WHAT A POWERFUL MESSAGE! it is over whelming that people want to inflict pain on other human beings.. I feel so ashamed for the “white man” who inflicted such pain on the Indians in Canda, for inflicting such pain on the Africians in Africia and for those who are inflicting pain on childen in our world. I am numb, i need to throw up..i don’t know what else to say….Lord thank you for faith you bestowed on Nelson Mandella. Lord forgive us, we apparently have not learned after the Hitler horror! What will it take Lord? What will it take? Forgive us dear Lord, please forgive us.
Amen and Amen Sah
Any act of violence and oppression, by any human being, was ultimately opposed by Nelson Mandela. For this, I value his wisdom.
While attending the University of Saskatchewan 1961-1965 two men survived a frigid trip from Regina to Saskatoon to tell a group of University students of their burden and passion for Africa. Paul Birch and Michael Cassidy told of their desire to start “African Enterprise” as a means to facilitate their ministry . Their message gripped our hearts and was for my wife and I our first serious missions focus as we graduated into the workforce. Their reports to their supporters of what God was doing through them was such an encouragement to hold them up in prayer & support. Maybe no one at that time but God had any idea of the profound affect the Lord, through their yielded lives, was going to have on Africa in those troubled times.
Hearing once again about Michael’s involvement from your Blog is a great encouragement to ur faith of what God is doing and continue to do. Thank you David.
Rod and Helen
OUR GOD is Greater than anything and everything…HE IS OUR GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER LIKE HIM!!! BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!!
Indeed “our God is greater than all these problems” ” miracle miracle miracle !!!”
Amen!!! We are serving a living God!! Enjoy your stay with your Creator Madella, until we all meet again
Mr. Maine,
Read Dec 11 blog your recovery day by day seen from your face and body.
Happier and stronger than last year, ESP when you were in Isreal trip. Praise the Lord let u work more to save more souls and support us. Take good care! love in Christ, Aimee Burnaby BC