A Rare and Rewarding Combination
So many people search for the key to having a great life, but they never find it. Many work hard to earn riches, but their efforts fall short. Others would love to have the honor of a great job or an important position, but they never achieve that. Still others just want to feel that life is worth while and fulfilling, but they miss what life is all about. Solomon gave us the key to all three of these things, when he instructed us that "By humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4) I believe he is showing us the power of this rare combination of human characteristics.
There are few people who are truly humble. Many people pride themselves in being humble, which proves they are not humble. Others misunderstand real humility, so they never attain it. Humility is knowing that we can do what we do only by the grace of God who made us as we are, so we do not deserve any credit for our abilities or achievements. When we are humble, then, we are free to be the best we can be, while giving all of the praise to the Lord. However, this is not quite enough by itself. When we add fear of the Lord to humility, then we can attain riches, honor and life. Why is that? The reason is simply that fear of the Lord leads us to trust Him and to obey Him in all things. If we do that with humility, we have the combination that leads to a great life. God can and does bless those people who humble themselves and who fear Him with holy reverence and worship unto obedience. The great thing is that anyone can have humility and fear of God. It is our choice.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 23-25.
There are few people who are truly humble. Many people pride themselves in being humble, which proves they are not humble. Others misunderstand real humility, so they never attain it. Humility is knowing that we can do what we do only by the grace of God who made us as we are, so we do not deserve any credit for our abilities or achievements. When we are humble, then, we are free to be the best we can be, while giving all of the praise to the Lord. However, this is not quite enough by itself. When we add fear of the Lord to humility, then we can attain riches, honor and life. Why is that? The reason is simply that fear of the Lord leads us to trust Him and to obey Him in all things. If we do that with humility, we have the combination that leads to a great life. God can and does bless those people who humble themselves and who fear Him with holy reverence and worship unto obedience. The great thing is that anyone can have humility and fear of God. It is our choice.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 23-25.