Being God's Valentine

Instead of getting down in the singleness-dumps this year, I wanted to post something for all you lovely single women out there. (Guys, it's okay; you can read on at your own risk!) For those of you who are celebrating Valentine's with that special someone this year, I will have something sappy for you a little later on!

I was reading Psalm 90 last night. Verse 17 just about jumped off of the page at me:

"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us..."

I'm sure you have all been told a hundred times, "It's the inward beauty and not the outward beauty that really matters." How true this is. But how we still long to be beautiful on the outside as well, right girls?

You know what makes us beautiful to God? The more we resemble Him, the more beautiful we are. That's how we get the beauty of the LORD upon us, is by being conformed to His image. This beauty, yes, is definitely inward beauty, but I believe with all my heart that it can be seen and will be seen on the outside as well.

So, how do we become this beautiful woman of God? How can we be a valentine that God delights in? I believe God gives us a clue in Proverbs 31. Each verse gives us a characteristic of the virtuous (morally excellent) woman:

Verse 10--She is VALUABLE. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Verse 11--She is DEPENDABLE. "The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."

Verse 12--She is LOYAL. "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

Verse13--She is DILIGENT. "She seeks wool, and flax and works willingly with her hands."

Verse 14--She is SELECTIVE. "She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar."

Verse 15--She is DISCIPLINED. "She rises also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."

Verse 16--She is HARD-WORKING. "She considers a field and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard."

Verse 17--She is DETERMINED. "She girds her loins with strength and stengthens her arms."

Verse 18--She is STEDFAST. "She perceives that ehr merchandise is good; her candle goes not out by night."

Verse 19--She is DEXTEROUS. (meaning deft, or skillful with the hands; having a sure and confident touch.) "She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."

Verse 20--She is COMPASSIONATE. "She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy."

Verse 21--She is CONFIDENT. "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed in scarlet."

Verse 22--She is MODEST and FASHIONABLE. "She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Verse 23--She is SUBMISSIVE. "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the lands."

Verse 24--She BUSINESS-MINDED. "She makes fine linen and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant."

Verse 25--She is MATURE. "Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come."

Verse 26--She is PATIENT. "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

Verse 27--She is ORGANIZED. "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Verse 28--She is BLESSED. "Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her."

Verse 29--She is RECOGNIZED BY GOD. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all."

Verse 30--She is PRACTICAL. "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

Verse 31--She is GENUINE. "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise he in the gates."

Wow. What a challenge this woman is. She is quite a treasure to yes, her family, but most importantly to God. God delights in her. Let's strive to be that woman that God delights in. Let's be HIS valentine.