Proverbs 31.17
“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.”
It is a central theme in the Book of Proverbs: Being effective and fruitful takes great effort. It takes strength. It is no surprise, then, that one of the attributes of the virtuous woman is that she builds and develops her strength. It is not possible to live the life and do the work described in this chapter without strength.
For the Christian community, I believe this is one of the great issues of our generation. Responding to the challenges of our time requires great strength. Not just human strength, but the kind of strength only the Lord can provide.
How does a Christian build the strength necessary for living and working with effectiveness? Does God simply give us the strength we need, or do we play a role in acquiring strength from the Lord? What part does our effort play in developing strength and capability?
This passage tells us that the godly woman “makes her arm strong.” In other words, her strength and skill is not simply given by God; it is something she worked to develop. Because she trusts the Lord … because she fears God … she disciplined herself to become strong and capable.
When it comes to spiritual growth and developing strength, we must always keep two things in mind:
1) The Lord is involved in every aspect of the strength-building process. He gives us the ability to develop strength, and he energizes us as we trust him and do the work to build our capability and competence.
2) However, it is not a passive process. We must do the work. The Lord provides strength and power, but if we do not act on it with discipline, we will build strength.
Strength is given by the Lord and grown through diligent effort.
It is the result of trusting in God and training with focus and discipline.
It comes from faith and action.
Trusting God is what motivates and empowers you to do the work that builds strength. Without faith, the spiritual power that only God can provide is not available. No matter how hard you work on your own, human strength will only take you so far. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me … The Lord is the strength of his people.” (Psalm 28.7-8)
But you must also beware of the danger of trust without training. Of faith without effort. Of believing in Jesus without developing yourself. Of doing no work, but passively waiting for God to simply give you strength.
Trusting the Lord empowers disciplined training. Faith in Jesus motivates and unleashes focused effort. Yes, there are times when the Lord gives you supernatural strength that you didn’t train for, but that is the exception, not the norm.
Philippians 2.12-13 provides a clear summary of this important principle: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Follow the example of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31: Trust God, do the work, and dress yourself with strength and make your arms strong.
More tomorrow …
