“Reserve time for those who will one day sit in the reserved section at your funeral.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 21, 2026
The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him… Do not waste your strength on women… Rulers should not crave alcohol…speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:1-9
A wise mother taught her son a responsible lifestyle not just for a king but for anyone influential within their family, friends, and work colleagues. These writings from a Gentile family were so valued by Israel that they were included in the Jewish sacred texts. The Proverbs 31woman is known for this chapter full of wisdom and sound advice, but the chapter can also be referenced as the Proverbs 31 man. The man is first instructed to honor women, avoid alcohol, and speak up about injustices against the poor. What was the context and motivation behind her wise advice?
“Do not spend your strength on women” (v. 3). Solomon’s downfall is documented; David’s Bathsheba episode; countless kings undone by sexual entanglement. She warns her son not to squander the vigor God gave him for leading on the pursuit of women. “It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer” (v. 4). She warns against wine’s effects (v. 6 permits it for the dying and grieving) and against a leader’s mind being clouded when justice is on the line. “Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and deprive all the oppressed of their rights” (v. 5). “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (v. 8-9). The positive counterpart. Royal power exists to defend the voiceless: “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Two sins of commission and one sin of omission that apply today.
Let’s frame our practical application around keeping your energy (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) disciplined, keeping your mind clear, and using your authority to defend those who cannot defend themselves. What does it look like to channel your energy in ways that honor the Lord and others? Whatever your gifts are, whether physical, mental, financial, professional, or spiritual, they were given for a purpose beyond self-gratification. Ask what “spending your strength on women” (or its modern equivalents, pornography, entertainment addiction, workaholic escape, social media dopamine, luxury consumption) looks like in your life. What is diluting the vigor meant for kingdom purposes? Instead, energize your resources for eternal initiatives. Grow your love for Jesus, your spouse, children, and friends. Reserve time for those who will one day sit in the reserved section at your funeral. Jesus’ disciples are disciplined.
Keep your mind free of unhealthy, intoxicating influences when making wise decisions. Alcohol can easily impair sound judgment. A modern parallel: don’t make major decisions while exhausted, angry, drunk, doomscrolling, or emotionally reactive. The oppressed suffer when leaders make decisions from a foggy mind, whether you’re reviewing a contract, disciplining a child, casting a vote, or writing a difficult email. Clarity of mind is a stewardship/wisdom issue.
Using your authority to defend those who cannot defend themselves is the passage’s most urgent contemporary message. Whose case is not being heard in your world? The unborn, the elderly, the trafficked, the wrongly accused, the employee without leverage, the immigrant without English, the child in a broken system, the widow in your church. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” If you have a platform, position, vote, budget, or access to someone in power, use that authority that was granted to you for the sake of someone weaker than you. A mom’s sage wisdom indeed: honor women, avoid alcohol, and speak up about injustices.
“My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, discipline my energy, clear my mind, and open my mouth for the voiceless. Make me a Proverbs 31 man of wisdom. Use my influence today to defend the weak. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Name one strength-drain today; cut it out. Delay a major decision until your mind is clear. Identify one voiceless person in your world; speak up, advocate, or give on their behalf.
Related Reading
Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Ephesians 5:18; James 1:27
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: Hosanna/For Those Who Are To Come
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