Proverbs 31; I Kings 4:20-28, 10:14-21, 23-29; 2 Chronicles 9:13-20, 22-28, 1:14-17

Years ago the pastor of our church shared a message from Proverbs 31 I’ll never forget. It was one of those ah-ha moments for me because before that I had dismissed Lemuel’s proverb as being unattainable. I always thought the answer to the question in verse 10 – A wife of noble character, who can find?- to be “no one”.

There isn’t anyone I know who can live up to the list Lemuel’s mother gave him. I doubt even she could have passed the test.

But what this pastor reminded us that Sunday morning is that the church is the Bride of Christ. If we read these verses in that light we will see the recipe – God’s plan- for a healthy church.

Does your church have a reputation such that the people (you) who worship there have noble character? Are you a church hard at work sewing seeds of the Gospel in your neighborhoods? Do you open your arms to the poor? Is your God respected in the city because your church exists?

There is so much here to challenge the Bride of Christ. But, dear friend, we individuals aren’t left off the hook. We are the church. 

As you read Proverbs 31 do you recognize yourself anywhere? Are you one in your church family who works with eager hands? Do you provide food for your church family in the form of teaching? Do you represent Christ 24/7? Do you speak with wisdom? Do you watch over the affairs of the church by being on one of the boards or volunteer in the kitchen?

As part of the church (and I hope you are an active member in a Bible-believing fellowship), no one is expected to do it all. But all of us are expected to do something.

Read this proverb again and ask God to nudge you toward service. Your church, the Bride of Christ, you as an individual are called to get an important job done. How are you doing?