Devotional For Daughters Entry 2

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

On the original Mickey Mouse Club, Annette Funicello sang a song entitled “How Will I Know My Love?” The question is an important one; how does a woman know “when” she has been found? If she waits for the man with the money, the house, and the big paycheck, she could be wrong. If she requires a certain look, body type, or je ne sais quoi – her own self determined ideal which must be met by any suitor, then she has defied Scripture and done the finding herself rather than trusting God to deliver Boaz to her doorstep. Don't rush into an Ishmael; wait on the promised Isaac!

So, how can a woman recognize Boaz “when” he shows up in her life? Well, we can learn a lesson from the Book of 1 Samuel. The older, stronger, more handsome sons of Jesse would have appeared to be more suitable choices to be anointed as king. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Now, let’s make the connection to Proverbs 18:22. God makes it clear that men are to do the finding (find= acquire, attain, earn, gain, get, obtain, procure). When women do the searching, are they not in error? Now, on to the question of how she can know Boaz and thus know when she has been found. This will require some prayer. Ps. 43:4 says “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.” The story of how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem indicates that the joy of the Lord is to be our strength (Neh. 8:10)

When a man indicates a godly interest in a woman and meets certain spiritual requirements (i.e. single, growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ {2 Peter 3:18}, faithful and accountable to church leadership, able to support a household {1 Tim 5:8}, willing to love like Christ and sacrifice himself for his bride {Ephesians 5:25} -- ), then there is an indication that this man may just be Boaz. However, instead of relying on the opinions of her friends and family, any discerning woman would do well to bring the issue to the altar first, and then seek the prayerful council of a senior leader such as her pastor or a seasoned mother in the church. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

Most importantly, the prospective bride would want confirmation that the Holy Spirit is leading this man in his choice. The best way to know a man’s heart is not by what he says to you, but rather by what he says to God. Therefore, pray together often with the man and ask God to reveal the truth to you. Then, if he asks for your hand and wants to put a diamond on it, your spirit should bear witness with the Holy Spirit, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) Brothers and sisters, when you enter into marriage you enter into an agreement with God. Do not take it lightly and trample the blood of Christ under foot just to satisfy the lust of the flesh for a season. Do your due diligence and not only check the man out yourself, but have him thoroughly checked out. A background check is not very expensive. What has he not told you? You need to “know” this man before you allow him to know you.

Be more concerned about living, and moving, and having your being in Christ your Savior than you are concerned with the man’s smooth words, constant smile, and dreamy eyes. FOCUS, sister. Do you see the fruit of the Spirit in this man? If not, then he is not Boaz. “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Do yourself a big favor and please God at the same time by making it a point to not only read, but study (2 Timothy 2:15) the entire Book of Proverbs before you even get serious about dating Mr. Right. Let God show you the difference between Mr. Right and Mr. Right Now. Too many women are finding themselves being taken for granted, abused, misused, used up and left for dead, etc. because they mistook Bobo for Boaz. Who you are in Christ and who you marry need to converge and take each of you higher in the Lord. Don’t get clowned, wait upon the Lord and be found with renewed strength. Hallelujah! The joy of the Lord, not a big bank account and a smile, is your strength, Woman of God! You are a precious daughter of The Most High God and He has prepared the way before you. Let your steps be ordered in His Word in regards to all things and you shall be prosperous and have good success (Joshua 1:8).


© 2012 Brian L Hunter