Proverbs 31:17 “She girds up her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.”

Many years ago, before my Bible college days - upon waking up one morning the Lord spoke to me and said, “Gird up your loins, I work a work in your day.”

I was not all that familiar with the scriptures as I had just become a Christian; therefore this was something completely new to me. Over the years He taught me that to gird ones loins meant to ‘get ready’ to run and what are we to gird up with? The truth.

When a Roman wanted to run they had to ’gird up their loins’, gather up the excess material of their tunic as to not stumble over it; to gird up so they would not be hindered in the task they had to accomplish.

In this passage we are told she girds up her loins with strength. How does she undertake this? First and foremost she must know the Father…and be known by Him; she must know the promises that are hers as a born again Christian - and through abiding in these she becomes strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

So many women are weak…weaker than they really need to be. Yes, the Bible declares she is the weaker one but, she does not have to be spiritually. God is her strength ultimately and this strength comes from Him alone and is cultivated by knowing His Word and practicing being obedient to His Word…daily and in every situation.

…..and makes her arms strong…No, this does not mean she ‘works out’ with exercise equipment to obtain strong arm muscles. We read:

1Timothy 4:7b - 8 “Train yourself in godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Consequently, this Proverbs 31 lady is spiritually minded verses worldly minded; strengthening her arms for spiritual battles that inevitably come for the duration of this Christian walk. Once again she side steps identify with this world and pursues a walk with her Lord at all costs; keeping her focus on the Kingdom of God verses the kingdoms of this world.

Yes, she girds herself up with truth as she strengthens herself for the conflict….and walks this through this world as a daily witness to His power made perfect in weakness.

MKL
10-21-2009