Busy Hands – Daily Inspiration P. 499 - Supernatural Truth in Christ

Proverbs 31: King James Bible

Busy Hands – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter thirty one, Verse 17-19

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Daily Inspiration from This Verse – Busy Hands

This virtuous woman is a busy lady! Through previous verses, we’ve witnessed her doing all kinds of things. None of which are empty or vain.

She’s got herself a pair of busy hands, and is not afraid to get them dirty. We’ve seen her purchase a field, roll up her sleeves, and plant a vineyard.

We’ve seen her get up before the break of day and make sure her household is awake and fed, making good use of every moment. She takes trips to get food and other items that are required, despite how far she may have to go.

Busy Hands are Happy Hands

She’s got some really good stuff brewing at the spindle. Her merchandise is spot on, and she knows that it’ll be profitable. Whether it’s for family use or to sell, she finds it to be a worthwhile endeavor.

The verses above describe a strong, industrious, entrepreneurial woman, that keeps herself involved with every facet of her family, business, and daily tasks. With what we’ve read about her, it would be easily assumed that she’d have a plaque on the wall sporting the famous quote: “Idle hands are the devils workshop.”

She Girds, Strengthens, Perceives, and Sets her Hand

How does she do all of these things? I’d argue that nobody can be as busy as the scriptures depict the virtuous woman, while being miserable, anxious, downtrodden, depressed, or even oppressed.

You could read this chapter and say to yourself, “My goodness that poor woman, having to do all of these things every day… A woman’s work is never done.”

What that emotional response is lacking, is an understanding of the mindset of this particular woman. She’s not complaining at all of the work she needs to do, nor how often she needs to do it.

Everything that has been described is done with purpose, determination, and a willingness to get it done. Not because she has to “or else.”- Remember, we learned in the last devotional that she’s got maidservants.

This “poor lady” isn’t just “scraping by” or impoverished by any means. She’s depicted as being well off due to the servants and the business deals transpiring in other verses.

Here we see her strength, perceptions, then actions taken, to diligently bring fruition to what she’s perceived to be good. She’s smart enough, strong enough, and has an entrepreneurial spirit about her, including a willingness to succeed when a good idea comes round.

These aren’t things to pity or cry foul. Rather, these are traits to admire and aspire to attain ourselves, male or female. Doing all things with good, sound purpose is always worth doing.

Priorities Established by God

One of the things that we have an advantage of over the world as Christians (or at least we should), is knowing how the Lord has aligned life’s priorities. When we align our priorities with purpose, determination, and a willingness to succeed, all according to the Word and will of the Father, we’ll always come out ahead, rather than going backwards or remaining stagnant.

When we get busy hands toward meaningful things, the fruit thereof is ripe and sweet. But idle hands reap decay and bitterness, both of which the Lord would rather spare us from than partake in.

Related New Testament Scripture

Romans 12: King James Bible

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

1 Timothy 5: King James Bible

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Hebrews 6: King James Bible

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the lessons you’re teaching us through your Word, and by way of example given to us through the virtuous woman. Help us all individually to align our priorities in accordance to your will. Fill us all with your wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to fulfill those priorities, then place the purpose inside our hearts and minds to set our hands to get them done. Remove all of your children from any idle, depressed, oppressed, or backward state of being, and stir up diligence as it touches what you will for their lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen

Question

Have you removed from your diet the good fruit of busy hands?

Daily Inspiration from Proverbs 31 P. 499 – Busy Hands