Written by Shawntae W.

 

Proverbs 31:25 says "Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." As I read this verse I was reminded that strength comes only from God. He alone is our source of strength and energy for any task. As the virtuous woman recognizes her weaknesses, she turns to the Lord for her strength. It wasn’t until I went to college that I realized how weak I am without God’s strength. My freshman year was full of prayer for God’s strength and energy as I took on the heavy load of classes and a bag full of books. At first, I didn’t pray for strength to carry my bag but for a guy to carry it for me.

However, God chose to show me that I didn’t need a guy, but I just needed my God. The words of 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me. 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me," became very dear to me as I realized that God’s strength could be clearly seen in my weaknesses.

Over and over God would give me strength to stay awake in classes and the strength to get the projects done when I was well spent.

Before I could have God's strength shown in my life, I had to humbly see my need for it and ask for His almighty strength. Before you can have strength from God, you must humble yourself and ask for His strength. 1 Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” This parallels the Proverbs 31 passage in the way that God’s strength, humility, and honor all play an intricate part in the virtuous woman’s life. She clothes herself in humility and God’s strength in order to do His will and overcome temptations. When the virtuous woman humbles herself before God, she can receive His grace to help in times of need. Because of a humble heart, she will honor God and give Him praise for His working in her life. The honor she clothes herself in is not for herself but for God, for He alone is worthy of her worship.

God has shown me time again that without Him, I am nothing. What a joy it is to see God’s strength in your own life! I can rejoice with the virtuous woman who was clothed in God's strength and honor because we have seen God's faithfulness and grace to us. Can you rejoice with us?