Those who fear the Lord will be praised

Proverbs 31:28-31

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today on this last Monday of 2021 we are also reading the last few verses of Proverbs 31. I did not plan it like this, it just worked out this way, but I do think today's message is a timely one for us for the end of 2021, but also a good beginning for 2022. In these verses the bride is praised for being excellent in character and works. I think it's easy for us to look at the works part and see them as outstanding, but I think the real essence of this piece of scripture lies in verse 30 where she is praised for her fear of the Lord. Her works of excellence flows from this fear of the Lord - it does not come from beauty or charm - but from the FEAR OF THE LORD.

Proverbs 9:10 states:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Let us therefore be reminded that no good works, no excellence, can come from any other place but from a place of fearing the Lord. Fear of the Lord does not mean that we are scared of Him, it means that we have a respectful reverence, an awe-filled wonder and excitement coupled with a deep respect for His greatness and His all-powerfulness, His omni-presence and His all-knowingness. It carries a respectful reverence in His presence for His AWESOMENESS!

Labouring from this place of fear of the Lord will produce fruit that is worthy of His praise, because it is the fruit of His Spirit in and through us - the bride of Christ. Ultimately it is the works of the Holy Spirit in forming and maturing the character of the bride of Christ, as seen in the fruit of her labours, that is worthy of praise in the gates of the everlasting city of God.

Points to ponder this week

• Rejoice in the fruit of the labour of the Holy Spirit in us and through us during the past year
• Let us focus our attention for the year to come on having the fear of the Lord that brings an AWE for Him, and let us allow the Holy Spirit to labour in us to build our character, and through us to produce works that have everlasting fruit.

Let us go into 2022 and fearlessly face the world, but fearfully and respectfully, with fear and awe of our God, face each day in the Name of the One and only true and Holy God.

I stand in Awe - Jesus Culture ft Chris Quilala