Fear The Lord

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

Proverbs 31:30

MANY WOMEN, EVEN Christian women, can be discouraged by the pictures of beautiful models on magazine covers. No matter a model’s age, her wrinkle-free face, full hair, and slim figure can make women feel as if they don’t measure up.

But this world has a serious problem: all of us age. Photoshop eliminates signs of aging, but all of us wrinkle, dry up, lose our looks, and become less—or physically more!—than what we were.

What makes the difference among God’s people as they age? Fearing the Lord, according to this proverb. What separates those who will be praised all their lives from the rest is not charm, beauty, or anything physical. Rather it’s their inner selves, their character.

Do you see yourself as a person who “fears the LORD”? What does that mean? It signifies respect, reverence, awe, obedience to his Word, faith, and other godly attitudes and habits. These are the qualities that distinguish you from those who do not fear the Lord. At the heart of the matter is your inner self. What resides there? God promises that you will be praised to the end of your days because of your reverence for God more than for any charm or beauty you possessed in your youth.