August 21
Prosperity,
and Honor
Proverbs 22:4
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
Daily Steps
This final verse on the fear of the Lord (Day 233) provides the new believer with a rich, practical summary of its rewards. It links the foundational principle of all wisdom—reverent awe—to the essential quality of Christian character: Humility is the fear of the Lord.
The peace in this principle is found in ultimate reward:
The Link to Humility: The verse equates humility with the fear of the Lord. True reverence for God (Day 231) naturally results in a low view of oneself (Humility, Day 184) and a high view of God. Humility acknowledges our dependence and God's absolute Sovereignty, which is the essence of godly fear.
The Wages of Wisdom: The rewards for this humble reverence are abundant and comprehensive: its wages are riches and honor and life. These rewards encompass:
Riches: Not necessarily worldly wealth, but spiritual abundance (The Ultimate Provision, Day 149) and fulfillment.
Honor: Respect from God and fellow believers, secured through a life of integrity (Day 220).
Life: Eternal vitality (The Fountain of Life, Day 233) and peace that lasts forever.
The Result is Simplicity: The path to a flourishing life is simple: embrace humility, which is rooted in the fear of the Lord. This single, foundational commitment guarantees a harvest of God's choicest blessings.
Your peace is secured by humble reverence. Embrace the fear of the Lord today, knowing that this reverent awe, expressed through humility, is the simple path to receiving the promised riches and honor and life that bring ultimate peace.
Reflective Question
If humility is the practical expression of the fear of the Lord, what area of your life (e.g., accomplishments, spiritual gifts, opinions) do you need to approach with greater humility today? How does the promise of riches and honor and life motivate you toward this inner change?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the wisdom found in humility. I pray that the fear of the Lord would deeply root humility in my heart. I thank You for the promise of riches and honor and life that come as wages for reverent obedience.
Secure my peace today, as I choose the simple path of bowing before Your great majesty. Amen.
