A Couple of Words for the Fall

Virtuous women & God's current focus on wisdom

Here are a couple of prophetic words that the Lord has been speaking to me about for the last month or so. I pray they encourage you!

In All Your Getting, Get Wisdom

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.” Prov 4:7

While wisdom is of great value in any season, the Lord is placing it centre stage right now and reminding us of the immense importance of diligently seeking it. He’s reminding us of its essential role and immeasurable value. 

“For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” Prov 8:11

How much better to get wisdom than gold! Prov 16:16

This strong encouragement to pursue wisdom, requires we posture ourselves in humility and a willingness to receive (Prov 11:2). It involves admitting we don’t have wisdom in the measure we need it. It recognizes that there is earthly wisdom (the ways that seem right to a man) which bears the nasty fruit of jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice. But we can receive from the Father, the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (Jas 3:13-18). It comes from listening to the Lord directly, as well as to the Lord as he speaks through scriptures and through our elders. 

The Lord is waiting to be extravagantly generous and mantle his Church with abundant wisdom if we will come to him in this humble, meek posture. 

It will be wisdom the Church needs right now, wisdom for strategies, for timing, for leadership adjustments, and for mission. We are in unprecedented times and it is not enough to simply draw on what has worked before. He also has wisdom, ready to be applied in all the places he’s called us to stand and serve within our society, for business people, teachers, health workers, parents, in fact for all of us, and for any situation we are in right now. 

But there are two cautions before us: firstly, we must not presume we already have wisdom within ourselves, presumption is dangerous right now. And secondly, the Lord is cautioning us to learn from Rehoboam’s folly. Rehoboam was Solomon’s son who dismissed the counsel of the elders in favour of the counsel of his immature friends (1 Ki 12:6-11), and paid a high price for his foolish hubris.  

James says if we ask for wisdom and don’t doubt, the Lord will give it generously, without reproach (Jas 1:5-7). Let’s lean into this promise more than ever right now, let’s receive that glorious gift of wisdom from above!

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The Honouring of Virtuous Women

May our daughters be like stately columns which adorn the corners of a palace. Ps 144:12

The Lord has been showing me, that in this season, he will be be choosing women whom he calls “virtuous women” and installing them into new roles, so they will be positioned like pillars in the Church (Ps 144:12). Many of these women have walked through some deep trials, yet found Him in those times, and chose virtue* rather than bitterness or self pity. Their lives have followed the pattern of Abigail (1 Sam 25), who, although married to Nabel, didn’t chafe at the very difficult marriage she was in, but neither was she crushed by it. When crisis arose, she wisely and decisively stepped forward and her courage and humility saved her household. In the end, she was honoured by God for her wisdom and character.

Others whom God is choosing, have not had the same intensity of trial, but have walked out a life of faithfulness when no one was watching. Again, they have consistently chosen virtue. 

For both groups of women, their character has been shaped by their choice to trust Jesus and walk in meekness in their life, be it through seasons of hardship, or simply, daily, choosing to do what is needed, to quietly love God and love others. The Lord is now is positioning these virtuous women to carry weight, influence and responsibility in the Church in a much more visible way. He’s honouring them.

* Historically, the Church has consider qualities such as: prudence, justice, temperance, courage, purity, diligence, patience, kindness, humility, faith, hope and love, to be virtues.