Wednesday, August 2, 2023
When we rise in the morning, everyone has to decide what to wear for the day. We consider things like, what is the weather like, who will I be seeing today, will I be doing yard work or will I have a business meeting. You know the questions. Then you decide what to wear in a literal way. But how do you decide what to wear on a mental, emotional and spiritual level? Have you considered that we also decide this on a daily basis, even a minute by minute basis?
This question was answered for me the other day as I read Proverbs 31 and Psalm 145. The authors of these writings are King Solomon’s mom who is trying to direct her son in choosing a good woman and King David respectively. They both know about warfare and loss and about doing things that are counterproductive and they have learned how to not only survive - but be raised up – above the mundane and even depressing times of life. So what did they do?
The Proverbs 31 woman got to work. She lifted her eyes from herself and began to meet the needs of others. This is the true definition of love. The Hebrew word for 'love' is 'ahava.' If you spell Love with the Hebrew letters, in the middle of the word is another word. The middle or core of the word love is Give! She gave. She put her mind and strength into bringing her husband honor; she rises early to do business, she speaks with wisdom and kindness, she helps the poor, and she takes care of her family. Her mind is not on lack. She prepares for winter. She realizes that hard times may come, but she is not overwhelmed by this. As she works and reaches out in love, she is dressing herself in strength and majesty and her focus is elevated because she joyfully awaits the Last Day! She can joyfully anticipate This Day, because her works are dressing her in Bridal apparel to meet the Lord when He comes! *Revelation 19:8 It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure'--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. By her works, she is preparing for the wedding every day!
And David – here is David’s secret: He proclaims the praises of the Lord every day!
*Psalm 145:1-3 I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. David knew that praising the Lord and acknowledging what He does for us day by day is what keeps our minds and emotions focused on His love for us, and that is powerful. It is not by looking back and grieving over the past, it is by looking at G-d and His faithfulness, His love and His forgiveness and His majesty – these are the things that dress us in strength and majesty.
I encourage everyone to read and practice Psalm 145 and Proverbs 31 daily. Let them become a lifestyle, and watch what happens when we do. The thoughts and actions presented in these Scriptures are the tools that defeat depression and feelings of hopelessness and negativity. *Psalm 3:1-3 Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Shalom!
