The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (86 page)

November 23

Seeing the Invisible

     
A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,

          
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

Hans Christian Andersen wrote an intriguing story called “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

Once upon a time, there was a vain emperor who loved beautiful new clothes. As it happened, two swindlers arrived in town announcing they could weave a cloth with a strange quality. It would be entirely invisible to anyone who was unfit for his office and unforgivably stupid.

This is marvelous
, thought the emperor.
Such robes will give me superior wisdom!

He then paid the swindlers handsomely so they could begin their work immediately.

Well, the story goes that the swindlers pretended to weave his new clothes, and the king pretended to put them on. The townsfolk pretended to admire them as he paraded through the town. Only one child with discernment shouted the obvious truth: “The Emperor has no clothes!” And he didn’t.

“A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.”

King Solomon was one of the richest kings who ever lived. As God inspired him to write the words of this proverb, I wonder if he put down his pen and pondered. Did he think about the gentle young man who made his shoes, or his gardener who loved simple, pure beauty, or the old wife of the baker with her kind, clear gaze? Did he all of a sudden see himself through their eyes and wonder,
Who is the true nobility?

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Things are not always as they appear. Even if people around us don’t see the truth, our hearts can rest with assurance that God sees all things with perfect clarity. He gives mothers “eyes in the back of their heads” to detect trouble with their kids. When there are dishonest shenanigans in the office, he’ll reveal red flags. Checks in your spirit can indeed be insight from the Holy Spirit.

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me to see with your eyes. Let me see people with your eyes of love. And give me discernment to be wise and careful.

One Year Bible Reading

Ezekiel 45:13–46:24; 1 Peter 1:13–2:10; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 28:11

November 24

True Success

     
When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

          
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

This is both a beautiful and a tragic picture of the effect that we can have on people around us every day. We can make people glad or sad.

Maybe you’re a waitress, or a nurse, or you work at Walmart. You can be a blessing. You can be the fragrance of Christ, even in the midst of a worldly atmosphere. Do you remember the story of Joseph? “When his master saw that the L
ORD
was with him and that the L
ORD
gave him success . . . Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned” (Genesis 39:3-4,
NIV
). Here we see Potiphar was glad to find someone who not only worked hard but was someone he could trust. Joseph was also put in charge of the other servants, and we can be sure they were glad too, because a godly boss is a good boss.

But the wicked have an entirely different effect on those around them. The definition of
wicked
in this case is “one who sins against God and man.” People don’t trust them. When someone who is wicked is in charge, things are not going to be fair. People are going to be treated harshly or rudely. No one feels safe, because no one
is
safe.

Ladies, these very same principles can be applied to our place of influence in our homes. So the true test of real success is, are those around us blessed because we’re a blessing?

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Motherhood, marriage and homemaking, missions and ministry are often seen as lower levels of success. Climbing the corporate ladder and having a job title might seem to carry more influence and prestige. But nothing really matters that doesn’t have eternal value—nothing. Romans 12:1-2 sets our sights on success that never fades: “And so, dear . . . sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. . . . Let them be a living and holy sacrifice. . . . Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

One Year Bible Reading

Ezekiel 47:1–48:35; 1 Peter 2:11–3:7; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 28:12-13

November 25

Holy Fear

     
Blessed is the man [or woman] who always fears the L
ORD
,

          
but he [or she] who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? Should we be afraid that he wants to crush or dominate or punish us? Is he the big traffic cop in the sky? Is he quick to anger, slow to forgive? I hope you don’t believe that. God loves you more than you’ll ever know. He is the God of all comfort and the God of all grace. Even his chastisement is for our good, to break us from sin and a ruined life.

To live in reverence of God means that we view him as a Father: a good Father; a right Father; an almighty, wise, faithful Father; a heavenly Father who deserves our respect. It’s been said that “those who live in the fear of the Lord have nothing else to fear.”

“The L
ORD
takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11,
NKJV
).

Few writers stir my heart to holy reverence like A.W. Tozer. In his book
Whatever Happened to Worship?
he writes, “When we come into this sweet relationship, we are beginning to learn astonished reverence, breathless adoration, awesome fascination, lofty admiration of the attributes of God and something of the breathless silence that we know when God is near. . . . There are very few unqualified things in our lives, but I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state and the most purifying emotion the human soul can know.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The blessed life is the end result of living in astonished reverence. What constitutes the blessed life that results from such a relation with our Creator? The whole world is grasping for the elusive key elements, true love and authentic purpose. Life is empty without them. Money can buy a diamond ring, as the Beatles sang; “but money can’t buy me love.” They ought to know.

Let’s Pray

Lord, please keep me from wasting my life chasing artificial happiness. I want to delight in you, trust your promises, dwell in your love, and honor you as the great King of kings and Lord of lords.

One Year Bible Reading

Daniel 1:1–2:23; 1 Peter 3:8–4:6; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 28:14

November 26

No Growling!

     
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor

          
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

     
A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,

          
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

This graphic word picture is addressed to leaders. Are you a leader? If you’re a mom, a committee head, or supervisor at work, you’re a leader. The question is, how do you use your power? Do you rule with a rod of iron? Like a bear, do you growl? Are you easily threatened? Do you bite people’s heads off?

In the movie
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
, the Wizard seemed to be a tyrant. He kept his subjects shaking in their boots. Believing that he was the only man capable of solving their problems, Dorothy and her friends traveled to the Emerald City. What high expectations they had. Of course he knew he could never meet those expectations; the plan was doomed to failure and he knew it. He kept up the guise as long as he could. But behind the smoke and mirrors he was just a little guy named Oscar from Omaha, Nebraska.

Could it be that some of the tyranny you see displayed in yourself or others is merely a front, smoke and mirrors? Fear, insecurity, a crippling sense of inadequacy will drive us to overcompensate. We can’t let down our guard, because if people really knew how weak we truly felt, well . . . we don’t know what they’d think. It might surprise you that many pastor’s wives feel very small and inadequate for the shoes they wear. The moral of this story: let’s drop the power plays, cut others some slack, and stop growling.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Weak, incompetent leadership crushes others. Strong, godly leadership is actually gentle and provides a safe environment for people to learn and grow and do their best. Does your daughter-in-law want to help with Christmas dinner? Don’t micromanage; let her add her own personal touch. Do the little ones want to make cookies? The more the merrier. No big deal if a little sugar gets spilled on the floor. Be fun to be with and to work with. Getting the job done will be secondary. Seeing the joy of accomplishment shine in others—primary.

One Year Bible Reading

Daniel 2:24–3:30; 1 Peter 4:7–5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16