Proverbs 31:21 & 22
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
This chapter of proverbs was not written by Solomon, but rather is a prophecy recorded by King Lemuel. Every time it starts to get cold I often think of verses that have references to snow. As this passage came to mind, I noticed a few things about the lady mentioned in these verses.
First much like the Bride of Christ, the church, this lady has a household she is responsible for clothing and preparing for harsh weather. Yet, she knows she has acquitted herself well of this duty, for the snow of winter does not bring her fear or concern.
She has arrayed her house with scarlet clothing made of silk and purple. She has covered them all with coverings made from tapestries. It is this list of materials that are the focus of today’s devotion. The metaphorical significance of these materials is applicable even to this day.
As you spiritually prepare yourself for chilly, bitter and snow covered seasons in your life, you too must array yourself as this lady arrayed her family.
First your clothing must soaked in the scarlet Blood of the Lamb. All protection from the coldness of this life starts with being bought by the Son. Where else can we seek warmth, but under his wings?
Then this lady made the clothing of the rarest fabric and colors of her day. We too must wrap ourselves in the most precious thing we can lay hold on, the Word. So precious that it shall outlast both Heaven and Earth; so vital that God has preserved it for thousands of years; so strong that nothing in Heaven or Earth can cause it to become of no effect. The purple symbolizes your station with God: you have been made royalty. You cannot live warmly in this world without claiming your title which awaits you in heaven. You must fulfill your duties as a king and a member of a royal priesthood.
But lastly, you must have a covering. An outer layer that shields from this world. Tapestries were heavy woven art pieces that often had images or symbols that told a story when viewed. Your warmest covering when life gets the coldest is the story of where Christ found you and where he has brought you. The outer covering of your life should be a visual story representing the changes that God has made inwardly as he grows and matures the new creature that he birthed inwardly.
Life may turn cold at a moment's notice. If we wait until the snow falls to prepare winter clothing, we will freeze while the garments remain unfinished. Prepare while the warmth lingers and meet cold days without fear, knowing that all Christ has done for you is more than enough to keep your soul warm throughout the harshest winter.
Your fellowservant in Christ,
Bro. Jordan Foster
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