The Gates of PRAISE

“Let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:31b KJV)

Whatever we DO—what we create and accomplish—should be of such quality and skill that it is always our BEST effort. Shouldn’t what we do for others be done so well that we would be delighted to receive it ourselves? Certainly, whatever it is, it is worth doing WELL as unto the LORD.

This is actually an attribute of God. He made us with so much love and care that He DELIGHTS to look at us! He watches us, thinks about us, cares for us, and has sacrificed so much for us that He desires to receive us—for Himself—FOREVER!

“The Lord takes pleasure in his people; he honors the humble with victory.”                    (Psalm 149:4, GNT)

We are the delightful, lovable fruit of God’s hands! We further delight Him when we recreate delight out of OUR own hands. The work of our hands should be of such quality that it would be our own highest reward!

Imagine the quilt-maker at the county fair who, after the judging is complete, is given the highest award possible—not only a blue ribbon, but the “Best of Show.” Her workmanship is the finest, her design the most challenging, and her effort is the BEST of the best. Therefore, as the prize for her incredible accomplishment, she is given her own work. The prizewinning quilt becomes the PRIZE!

“Give her of the fruit of her (own) hands …” (Proverbs 31:31 KJV)

If, as the Scripture says, our works will eventually come back to us as evidence and reward of our dedication and accomplishment, then we must put forth every possible effort for excellence. We must express our highest and best ideals in all that we do—as a labor of love—into the work that God has assigned with the talents and gifts that He created in us.

“If anyone serves, they should do so with (ALL) the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 NIV)

My mother was the epitome of doing things “with all (her) heart, and with all (her) strength.” Whatever she put her hands to, she tried to do the very best she could with the skills that God invested in her. Music, writing, cooking, bookkeeping, gardening. And yet, through her life, she suffered so many deep heartbreaks. She lost her mother when she was only fourteen; lost her father when he remarried and moved away from her; lost her beloved husband after only eight short years of marriage … and experienced all kinds of other deep sadnesses through the years. At the end of her life, she might have wondered, “Is THAT all there is?? I tried SO HARD!! Is that all I get??!” But then, from the echoing halls of Heaven, I hear her sing,

“The veil is torn and the doors fling wide, I see GLORY as I run inside the THRONE ROOM, and before YOU, I bow …”

“Let her own works praise her IN THE GATES …”  (Proverbs 31:31 KJV)

 When we reach the Gates of PEARL, all our work that was done “as unto the LORD” will be rewarded. THE PRIZE, at last! We “will call (His) walls Salvation and (His) GATES PRAISE.” (Isaiah 60:18 NIV)

 Dear Jesus, help me always to do my BEST. You are the Eternal Judge, and as I give my best life to You, You will reward me with the truly BEST LIFE … FOREVER!  Thank You!