That Legendary Lady

I've always loved Proverbs 31.  The woman described in verses 10-31 is amazing.  

She can also be overwhelming.  I imagine that some might love to hate her.  She's practically legendary and she's trustworthy, industrious, energetic, strong, wise, busy, caring, prepared, creative, brave, dignified, joyful, kind, and careful.  It's no wonder some of us feel she's just an impossible standard.  

Proverbs 31:30 mentions that a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.  We shy away from the word "fear," but I when I look at it, I think that "morally reverent" would be a great phrase to substitute in for the word "fear." 

Am I reverent toward the person of God?

Am I reverent toward His Word?

Am I reverent toward His standards?

Am I morally reverent?

When I read over the beginning of Proverbs 31:30, it reminds me that charm and beauty are vain and temporary.  When I delve deeper, I realize that you can be smart, beautiful, and have a riveting personality, but it's NOTHING without the fear of God.  

Truly, the fear of God is the root of all virtues.  

That's where the Proverbs 31 woman becomes an encouragement to me.  She is what she is, because she fears God.  She started there and it all grew out of the fear of the Lord.  

I can't ask myself if I have all those wonderful qualities that I see in her life.  

Instead, I ask myself ~ 

Today, am I fearing the Lord?  Am I holding Him in high and holy reverence?

Dominique