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In Proverbs 31 verses 10 - 31 we read some great advice on becoming a Godly Mom. I won't take time to print all of these verses, but let's just look at a few. Let's start in verse 28.
Proverbs 31:28-31
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.Notice in the context of our reading the word woman certainly must mean a married woman. She has a husband and daughters. She is a married woman that has children which means that she is a Mother. (However, these verses could certainly apply to any woman who would like to be obedient unto the Lord.)
I wish to concentrate on the last part of verse 30. …a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. I believe that found within this short phrase is a desire for every Mom here. A desire to be praised. My wife often says to me, in joking way of course, after she has done an especially good job on something - I like praise. Actually she is revealing a deep desire that all of us like. If we will be truthful, we all like praise. I believe that it is part of the human makeup - the human psych.
This word praise comes from a word that has a background meaning of clearness, brilliant light, giving light and continues on in its meaning to come to mean singing. Our translators recognized the exact meaning in this particular conjugation as to be praised. We might say it this way: 'to sing someone's virtues.' In other words, to praise them. And we all like praise - don't we?
So what does this Mom do to earn the praise of her God and the people around her? Look at verse 31.
"…let her own works praise her in the gates" What is the basis for this Mother's works bringing her praise?
She is "…a woman that feareth the LORD."Fear is an emotion that can be described as being afraid. When you look at this and related emotions we see a trend. Here is what Noah Webster says about these emotions starting with fear:
"A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. The force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us."However, there is another aspect to fear that we must consider. Again we turn to Mr. Webster:
"In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a 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 a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience". This is filial fear. Respect and yet fear of our parents.Jeremiah 32 - I will put my fear in their hearts.
Probably all of us have experienced both aspects of this emotion called fear. There certainly are both aspects of this fear when we look at the expression, "…the fear of the Lord."So, if Mothers have a proper fear of the LORD it will cause them to exercise wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. I believe that "the fear of the LORD" will impel a Mother to seek Salvation -
Proverbs 14:26-27 - In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.Life is in Jesus Christ and a woman that feareth the LORD will seek life not death. How about it Mom? Have you sought out Jesus and trusted Him for salvation? Surely you would not want to be caught in the snares of death? Surely you would not want to be visited with evil? The only way to escape is to trust Jesus as your Saviour. Have you done so?
Here is one thing that "the fear of the LORD" will do for you after you get saved. "…a woman that feareth the LORD" will get her prayers answered.
Hebrews 5:7 - Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;Jesus Christ …"feared." Do you understand? Was he afraid of His Father in the first sense that we talked about at the beginning of the message? No. But, did Jesus fear God in the second sense that we talked about? Jesus always got His prayers answered in response to His filial fear. I believe that when we fear properly, God will listen and answer our prayers. Let's listen to Mr. Webster's thought on that sense again.
"In good men, the fear of God is a 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 a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear."So, Mom, a proper fear of the Lord will bring answers to your prayers.
I believe that there is something very special about being a Mother as you have already gathered. One of the very special things about being a Mother from a Biblical point of view is that you can never fill to capacity or exhaust the love that is in her heart for her children. You know why? Because God enlarges her heart so that her love will never stop. And you know the basis for this? It is Godly fear.
Isaiah 60:5 - Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
Psalm 119:32 - I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.Becoming a Godly Mom is not an overnight task. It is like anything else in the Christian life-it involves submission to the will of God in your life and dedication to following the guidance of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. It may seem impossible, but not with God's power. He can and will give you what you need to be the Mom that He wants you to be. Trust Him and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The Bible has much to say on this subject, and I believe that you would be blessed as you study God's word on this subject. There is also an abundance of materials outside the Bible on this subject, and considering the eternal importance of Motherhood, I would strongly encourage you to Diligently Study God's word, and add some books written by Godly, fundamental authors to your library which will bring wisdom and understanding as you read and apply them.
