A Woman of Noble Character

Robert Ingersoll was an agnostic lecturer who drew great crowds in the mid-to-late 1800s. Long before it was culturally cool to be anti-Christian, he would speak before amazing numbers of people, many of whom paid $1 for the privilege, a huge sum at the time. Well, one day two college students went to hear Ingersoll’s presentation. And as they walked down the street after the lecture, one said to the other, “Well, I guess he knocked the props out from under Christianity, didn’t he?” The other said, “No; no, I don’t think he did. Ingersoll did not explain my mother’s life, and until he can explain my mother’s life I will stand by my mother’s God.”

Today we pause to give thanks for mothers (and others) in whom we have seen the reality of God. We give thanks for parents and grandparents; aunts and uncles who have shown us what faithfulness looks like. Think back. Someone carried you to the baptismal font. Someone taught you the Christian faith in word and deed. Whoever those people were, we owe them a debt of gratitude that really cannot be repaid.

What a different story it is when we fail to be God-fearing parents. What a sad story when we don’t show love for those who gave us life and nurtured us through the years. Although we can become forgetful and uncaring, God calls some of us to be Christian parents, and He calls all of us to honor father and mother.

I’d like to read you a passage from the end of the book of Proverbs. The section is sometimes called “A Woman of Noble Character.” You’ll see why in a moment. As you listen to these inspired words, I’d like for you to see if you recognize any of these qualities in the women God has placed in your life. I’d also like for you, whether you are a mother, father, son or daughter, younger or older, to see how well you measure up to the noble character Scripture describes here.

^10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.¹³ She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.²² She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:²⁹ “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Do you know some women like that? Thank God if you do. Did you hear that one line: “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” That’s where we all can zoom in. Any person who fears the Lord is to be praised. Do you who are parents consistently show a deep reverence for God and His holy things to your kids? Do you who are children always show great care and respect for how God says we should live? Do you who believe God’s Word and trust in Jesus take your status as an ambassador for Him seriously? The fear of the Lord, is it visible in your life? In other words, is it clear to everyone who sees you that God’s ways are your ways; that Jesus is your number one priority? If you answered “no,” to any of those questions, congratulations—at least you are honest. I mean it. If you’re sitting there thinking you’re not half the father you should be; that it’s just not in you to be a godly mother; or I haven’t been the greatest son or daughter; or even a very trustworthy, dependable friend, I actually have good news for you. If you’re willing to be honest with God, He can work with you. It starts with the work He has done for you.

Where we fail in our responsibilities, Jesus took responsibility for all our sins and paid for them on the cross. Where we fail to love well, Jesus loved perfectly by sacrificing his own needs for yours. Where we fail to exercise Godly leadership in our homes, Jesus led by serving. Jesus did these things to forgive all your sins. You’ve made mistakes as a mom? They’re forgiven in the blood of Jesus. You’ve messed up as a dad? You’re forgiven and can start over again today. You’ve disobeyed your parents and disrespected them with your choices? Jesus forgives you, and you have another shot to get it right. This is the Gospel—the work Jesus has done and is doing for you. When you believe this Gospel, you can get things right, you can have this noble character, you can fear the Lord, wanting to honor Him with your life more than anything else that drives you. After all, look at everything he went through just to be in your life.

American author Washington Irving once wrote: “The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes—it never tires—it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world’s condemnation, a mother’s love still lives on.”

If you’ve received that kind of love from your mother, say a prayer of thanks today.

If you can’t say that, though, take heart. The love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is never exhausted. It never changes—it never tires. It endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world’s condemnation, God’s love still lives on. His children rise up and call Him blessed.