Fridge Worthy!
Proverbs 22:4 NASB
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches, honor, and life.
I must explain the phrase "fridge worthy." Over the years, in our home and in the homes of other believers, there have been certain verses that get attached to refrigerators. Along with the family pictures and children's artwork are verses such as Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." And the ever-popular Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you to give you a future and a hope." All of these are wonderful verses. All of them have a common theme of what the Lord does for us. Strength, an end to lack, and good plans are all accurate regarding who the Lord is and what He can do in our lives. Our verse for today has just as much promise with a different slant.
Humility and the fear, or the reverence, of God are two qualities that bring reward into our lives. Riches, honor, and life are from the Lord. Humility and reverence are from us. And maybe that's why this verse doesn't make the top ten fridge list. The promise of riches, honor, and life comes with conditions. We have to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord.
This is an interesting contrast. We don't usually equate humility with riches and honor. We don't even talk about wanting riches and honor, because it certainly does not sound the least bit humble. Oh, I am so humble, but I am looking for a reward. These phrases seem to exist in two different worlds. And yet. In God's kingdom, humility is a high value quality. James tells us God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. God's grace is a difference maker in our lives. With God's grace in our lives, we can better understand how riches, honor, and long life can come our way.
And the fear of God is another quality that scriptures speak highly of. The reverence for God leads us away from sin and into a life that is marked with godly character. In Isaiah 11:2, the prophet speaks of how Jesus will live with the Holy Spirit on His life. "And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." NLT Walking in the fear, the reverence for God, is how Jesus lived on earth. That same Holy Spirit will also prompt us to live a similar way. Being Christ-like will always involve a fear of God.
I am going to put Proverbs 22:4 on my fridge. But even more importantly, I am going to put this verse into my heart and life. The rewards are secondary to knowing God in a greater way.
Prayer
Lord, show me by Your word and Spirit how I can walk in greater humility and reverence for You.