Thought for the Day

Verse 19 - Having prepared her flax and wool, a virtuous woman spun them into thread, the next step in making clothes. Drawing fibers from a quantity of flax held on her distaff, she used her spindle to twist them together into a continuous strand. As linen thread formed, she wound it on the spindle. So constant an occupation was spinning in the ancient world, that distaff and spindle became symbols of an industrious woman. These tools symbolized a woman's love and care for her family.

A spindle is a small rod, and a distaff a short staff. They bring to mind the shepherd's rod and staff, which symbolize his care for his sheep. Psalm 23 pictures the Lord as the Great Shepherd caring for us as His flock. This beautiful Psalm has comforted countless people over the centuries, for Christ's care and selfless love give even greater security than that of a mother. A good shepherd causes his sheep to rest and graze in green pastures. He leads them where they can drink placid water. Sheep are frightened of running water, since their heavy woolen coats render them incapable of swimming. He restores our souls with the spiritual food of His Word and the living waters of His Spirit. He leads us in righteousness. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. This place is not called the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death. Shadows look ominous, but they cannot harm us. We need to remember this when faced with any threat of death from the devil. Jesus came to give us life, not death (John 10:10). He also prepares a table from which we may eat even with enemies around us. When we stay close to our Shepherd, we experience such wonderful victories that our cups run over. He anoints us with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to triumph in all things. All the days of our lives, He follows us with His goodness and mercy. I asked the Lord one time why goodness and mercy "followed us," instead of going before us. He spoke to my heart that "goodness and mercy" were behind us to catch us when we fall down. He is there to catch us and lift us back up, so we can continue on the path of the Lord. We are promised that we shall live in the security of His house forever.

Verse 20 - Bathsheba described the virtuous woman as prosperous and compassionate. Sometimes giving money is easier than giving our time. Whether a kind word or deed, the virtuous woman gives from her own stores of faith and knowledge, as well as from her material goods. This is one reason Bathsheba described such a woman as blessed, for the Lord promises blessing to those who give to the poor. One of the most important things Christians do at Christmas to celebrate the Lord's birth is to assist the poor. There is more joy in this than in giving gifts only to family members. Honoring Christ by obeying Him and helping others is a gift we can present to Him any time of year.