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Beauty that Lasts

In God’s infinite wisdom and creativity, He has crafted magnificent things: watercolor sunsets, awe-inspiring mountains, turquoise oceans, and beautiful people.

Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter in the Bible about a God-fearing, hard-working, generosity-driven woman.

Interestingly, Proverbs 31 was written by a man—specifically, King Lemuel, although it’s technically advice from his mother that he shared when he was king.

Something that’s not obvious in non-Hebrew languages is that verses 10-31 actually make up an acrostic poem—each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, successively working their way from aleph to tau (from beginning to end).

Toward the climax of the poem, the author writes:

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 KJV

Deep down we know this to be true, don’t we?

No matter how charming or beautiful a woman is, we know that beauty is fleeting. We know that charm will not last. We know that the aging process will eventually run its course.

But there’s barely any mention of this woman’s physical beauty, instead, the focus is on her character—on this woman who fears the Lord.

An earlier Proverb explains that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:” (Proverbs 9:10)—the humble realization that anything good and wise and pure and true must have come from Him.

 

So if you know a woman like that—one who loves and respects God, one who honors and cares for people, one who invests wisely and lives purposefully—you might take a moment to thank God for her life. You might even consider how you can be more like her, as she aims to be more like Him.

SHARE YOUR FAITH

Reminder: You can point people to Jesus by the way you live and love!

REFLECTION

If you know a woman who loves God, cares for people, and lives generously and intentionally—take a moment to thank God for her life.

PRAYER

God, I'm thinking of a very important woman in my life. Thank You for creating her-for how her love has impacted me. Please continue to guide and protect her. Fill her with Your strength and hope. I pray that she finds her confidence in You, not in the shifting standards of the world. Help me as I grow in wisdom and faithfulness, so that-like her—I can point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.