"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs. 31:30

G.R.A.C.E. - Gently Radiating A Christ-like Example

Grief(s):

Woman of ______ (Fill in the blank)

• substance?
• integrity?
• trust?
• influence?

What do you want people to think of you?

Response:

The primary theme of Proverbs is wisdom. There is broad access to knowledge in this information age. Yet, without wisdom, knowledge is useless.

Hosea is an example of how to use knowledge. His relationship with his wife Gomer is a wonderful illustration of God's grace by His sacrificial and unconditional love.

Hosea obeyed God's command to marry Gomer, whose people had an opposite belief than his own and did not worship the one true God. Hosea believed, trusted, and devoutly relied upon God – even as each of their children was named by God to represent punishment for evil and selfish deeds by Gomer's people.

She must have wondered how her husband allowed his God to choose evil names for their children. Steeped in her pagan and rebellious ways, she became an adulteress, leaving a wealthy life style for promiscuity on the streets. Don’t we mimic this frame of mind when we commit spiritual adultery by rebelling against our husband?

What a love story we have before us!

Gomer is a reminder of how we can lose appreciation for our relationship with our husband by chasing dreams and goals that do not include him. As we reach the end of our own resources, we may feel that God has turned away from us. But then we are reminded us of His faithful provisions to us and through His unconditional, abundant love, we recognize His desire to restore us to a right relationship with Him.

Isn't that what Hosea did every time Gomer ventured into adultery? Hosea's unconditional love for Gomer was patient and faithful each time he retrieved her from the "streets". He gained an understanding of how God must have felt about the spiritual adultery of His people. Hosea lived in the flesh what God lives in the holy and divine.

Affirm:

Hosea had given his heart and soul to God, and knew his life was not his own. He obeyed God regardless of the personal cost to himself.

As the wife of an unbeliever, you can invest in your husband just as Hosea invested in Gomer.

Peacefully and respectfully show your husband God's love as you:

• Maintain poise even when life seems unfair.
• Learn to restore your relationship after a disagreement.
• Model the fruit of the spirit as you relate to your husband.
• Rely on your established godly standards and values so that...
  you can demonstrate grace in any situation.

Connect:

'Women of Grace?' Yes! We have God's grace and incomparable power within us, despite health, emotional, and situational issues...

• to reject Satan's subtleties that unwittingly lures us onto the slippery slope of sinful attitudes.
• to reject Gomer's lifestyle and attitude.
• to lovingly respond to our husbands.
• to respond as Hosea did to Gomer and God did to Israel.

God made a decision to love Israel, and to keep His promise to them to be their God. Although Gomer personally committed sins toward Hosea, and Israel as a nation had committed falsehood, harlotry, murder, robbery and oppression along with repeated spiritual adultery, God continued to guide and empower them and pour out His grace on them.

Equip:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves... (Philippians 2:3)

'Women of Grace' understand that selfless sacrifice of personal desires for God's way will develop godly wisdom. Never lose sight of 'the big picture.' God's purpose is to grow His love in you so that you will bring glory to Him in your relationship with your husband!

G.R.A.C.E. Gem:

Women of Grace

Recognize God is in control.
Remember His faithfulness.
Fear God and listen to His voice.
Know He gives peace and blessings.
Live Godly values and pronciples.
Show compassion and grace.
Understand stewardship.
Seek clarity in all situations.
Love their husbands unconditionally.

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