Proverbs 3:35. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
Honor was a very big deal in the ancient near east, and it still is around the world today. Having honor is far more valuable than any wealth or status you might obtain. A rich person can be very foolish and disgraceful (cheating, stealing, over working). And a poor person can have great honor (honesty, hard-working, sharing). In Proverbs, the wise person wants to honor God more than anything else. Not just by being moral, but by trusting God above all else.
Today’s proverb is another “reap what you sow” proverb. The wise person not only honors God, but will also be honored BY God. Solomon calls this honor our inheritance. At the end of days, when Christ returns for his own, those who have been wise will inherit honor. Or to say it another way, those who have trusted in Christ will not be put to shame.
Romans 10:10-13. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1 Peter 2:6-7. 6For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7So the honor is for you who believe…
Can you see yourself in these scriptures? Have you honored God by trusting in Christ to save you? Do you honor God by trusting in your union with Christ day by day to fill your heart with his love? Can you imagine yourself being honored for your faith by God on judgment day?
Simply put, Christian, do you know that God wants to honor you! He wants to cheer you on, celebrate your faith, and praise your life as a picture of his great grace. And one day he will. Jesus will honor you in front of God just like God honors Jesus in front of you.
You: Can you imagine yourself being honored by God one day? Today?
You in Christ: How does trusting that God will honor your faith allow you to choose to live by faith today?
Christ in you: How can you honor Christ today? Is there an area of your life where the Lord is nudging you toward living in greater integrity?
Pray: Father, I don’t want to be a disgraced fool, I want to be honored by you. Help me to receive the honor that comes with faith in Christ, and help me to be honorable today, honest, hard-working, and kind. Amen.
To Live is Christ 