Ruth 3:11 & Proverbs 31

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12

Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:25-31

June is traditionally a wedding month. As we attend various weddings, we pray that the groom and the bride have chosen well. Knowing a person’s insides is imperative. Is she virtuous, does he fear the Lord? People are known by their fruits. Fruit inspections are important if marriage is at all on the horizon. It’s also important to know that we are being watched. I’m sure Ruth was surprised when Boaz said that all the people of his town knew that she was a virtuous woman. He was watching. When people watch us, do our actions and conduct show that we are virtuous and God fearing? I’m going to our church youth camp this summer as a counselor for the girls. I think I’ll use these passages for one of our nightly devotions.

1 Samuel 16:14-23

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”
So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”
Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.
1 Samuel 16:14-23

Whenever my kids play soothing classical pieces on the piano, I smile and think of King Saul. Soothing music does calm edgy nerves, anxiety, etc… Thank you, Lord, for giving us music.