WEEK 1: THE CASE FOR VIRTUE
The Greatest Gift of All Times
MONDAY FEBRUARY 01, 2021
“Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate”. (Proverbs 31:31)
Women love gifts; don’t we? Can you think of the best gift you’ve ever received? What emotions did you feel when you received it? I have received some very special gifts that I cherished and took great care of; there is one gift in particular that I call the “Greatest Gift of All Time”. In fact, you too may have received the same “Great Gift” at some point in your life
When I was a child, I would carry around this gift in my school bag; on the weekends, I would carry it in my hand. As I grew older I would keep the gift next to my bedside. As close as the gift was to me, I seldom used it. Can you guess what this “gift” is? I hope you guessed right; It’s a BIBLE. What is your personal experience with the BIBLE?
The theme for the Daily Devotional Series in February is: The Case for Virtue; the concept is important to the mission of the ministry of The Virtuous Woman Project. The vision is inspired by Proverbs 31:10-13 which speak of the Virtuous Woman. The word “Virtuous” is an adjective (a descriptive word) that is derived from the word: “virtue” which is a noun (a thing). In a Biblical context, the word virtue means:
The practical attitudes and habits adopted in obedience to Biblical Principles.
Biblical Definition of “Virtue”
What is the case that can be made about The Greatest Gift of All Times (the Bible) and The Practical Attitudes and Habits Adopted in Obedience to Biblical Principles? The answer is: A Case that is a Guaranteed Win. And how so?
Have you ever found yourself in a state of confusion about what life is all about? I sure have; yet, the truth is, neither you nor I had any choice in whether or not we were born. Would you agree? I am sure you do. Yet, we have been given life, and we need to figure out what to do with it…every day.
Here comes the WIN!!! In His great love and wisdom for us, the Creator of the Universe gave us The Greatest Gift of All Times; the Bible. In the Holy Book we are able to find the answers to every question we will have about life, purpose and promise. In time, I learned to appreciate this “Great Gift” and began reading it more often than I did in previous times. I have come to learn that from the beginning of God’s Word, in the book of Genesis to the end, in the book of Revelation there is much knowledge, wisdom and understanding to be gained.
I am sure that you too have discovered the priceless treasure that lies between the pages of the Holy Book. As we journey together during the month of February, we will explore its content as we make The Case for Virtue . In the Book of Wise Sayings: Proverbs, we meet a woman in Proverbs 31:31 of whom it was written:
“Honour her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate”.
Proverbs 31:31
This woman seemingly solved the mystery that life can sometimes prove to be; based on what is said of her in the Scripture, she lived a godly, admirable and successful life that warrants her being honoured for her work and accomplishments. As women, we do desire to feel a sense of genuine fulfillment; we want to know that we are pleasing God, that what we do matters, and even that we are recognized for it.
We have been given a most Precious Gift by our Creator; the inspired word of the writer of Proverbs 31. If there are any practical attitudes and habits that a woman needs to know in order to live in obedience to Biblical Principles, then she has found the answer in Scripture at Proverbs 31:10-31. It is important to note that every Scripture is valuable and important to read and apply, yet the profound way in which Proverbs 31 speaks to us women provides a standard to which we can live by and be able to assess our spiritual progress.
The Greatest Gift of All Times: The Bible teaches that we are created in the image of our Creator, the God of the Universe. Being virtuous involves displaying attitudes and habits adopted in obedience to God’s laws and commands (principles). The case has been made and won about the value that “virtue” gives to us as women of faith. We can now solve any mystery or confusion about our purpose as women as we study the character and nature of the woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. We will be able to glean (extract) much wisdom over the next 28 days as we explore how to: “Let our works praise us at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:31).
Be Blessed
LET US PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is a privilege for me to have access to Your Word, the Bible; indeed, it is the Greatest Gift of All Times. I am honoured to have the opportunity to read Your Word and be guided in all that I do. There are so many women all over the world who do not have access to this blessed gift, and are even killed if they are caught with a Bible.
I desire to cherish Your word for the priceless treasure that it is, and apply its principles to my life. In as much as the woman in Proverbs 31 lives a godly and successful life, I desire also to be like her; exuding Your essence and living with dignity and purpose.
Please endow me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can overcome all temptation, read Your Word diligently and pray unceasingly. I want to be the woman You created me to be; please help me as I take up my cross daily and follow after You.
I pray in Jesus’s Name. Amen
