I AM worth FAR more than Rubies

Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies.

What is the price/value of a ruby?

A ruby can command the highest prices of any colored gemstone.  The per-carat prices of fine-quality rubies have been rising consistently, many times breaking auction records.  A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone and the most expensive ruby is the sunrise gemstone and is only beat out in price by the diamond.

 

This 25.59-carat sunrise ruby was sold for a record US$30.42 million in 12 May 2015 at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva, Switzerland to an anonymous buyer.

What does it take to be a virtuous women---- or an excellent woman?  The Hebrew word here is chayil. Meaning strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, and army.  The word virtuous has a reference to strength of character, and implies mental and moral energy, or courage.  Courage is the stricter meaning of the word and it also implies a deep and healthy fear of God. 

Hebrews 3:14 - We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Hebrews 4:14 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Holding on to the end takes strength of character.  I have seen many fail at this.  I have personally seen many received freedom, healing, deliverance, restoration, and transformation only to maintain this for the short term. There is something about hanging on to the end. 

A few weeks ago, I started running and am in the process of training for a 5K, 10K and eventually half marathon.   It is hard to hang on.  I get started strong and feel myself wanting to quit right in the middle.  It gets hard, I get sweaty, and I'm breathing hard.  But I run away from my house so I have to come back.  I have to finish.  I'm always thankful when I do, but it is hard in the middle.  I think so many do not have the mental and moral energy to push through in their middle. 

Then what about those moments when you are not treated like a precious ruby, in fact you are thrown out, discarded, called names, judged, and your identity is questioned.   Those "middle" times are extremely difficult.  So much so, it would be easy to stop or quit.  But He calls us to finish. 

2 Timothy 4: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

The world wants you to quit.  Sometimes friends want you to quit.  Your enemies definitely want you to quit.  But He wants you to finish.  What is your middle?  Where are you in the race?  How will you finish.  Do you have a healthy fear of God?  You must finish well because there will be a judgment day where your work, words, actions, and intentions here on earth will go through the fire and If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:15

I am praying even in the hardest times of your life that you push though.  I am praying that in the hardest times in my life that I finish well.  How can I be praying for you?  You are worth
FAR MORE than rubies.  That’s a lot sweet friend.

Be encouraged!