Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
 but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who is reverent, holy, and knows she exists to bring glory to the God who created and redeemed her. She is a woman who intentionally honors God with her choices – her thoughts, attitudes, actions, words, and behaviors.

In this final chapter of Proverbs, there is a long list of character traits describing what we commonly call the “Proverbs 31 Woman.” It’s noteworthy that this particular trait is the last mentioned, suggesting that fearing the Lord is the crowning characteristic that embodies all the others.

The writer reminds us that the ultimate praise for a woman of God comes to one who fears the Lord. To define this, we can go back to the very first chapter of Proverbs where we read this:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7

The place to find knowledge, wisdom, and discipline is God. Sometimes we don’t have it because we fail to ask for it. (James 4:2b). All too often when we lack knowledge or wisdom, our first go-to is www-dot-something. We trust Google or an “expert” internet site to find answers to our questions.

But ultimately, real truth – eternal truth – can never be found apart from God.

For that kind of knowledge and wisdom, we must seek after God. We must know that He is the place to begin, if knowledge and wisdom are truly what we desire.

We must seek after God. We must know that He is the place to begin, if knowledge and wisdom are truly what we desire. Click To Tweet

A woman of God asks God for help, then patiently waits on God to provide the answers. As a homeschool mom, perhaps these are some knowledge and wisdom questions that need answered:

• How can I teach spelling to my dyslexic child?
• How can I encourage my children to truly love each other?
• My child is clearly gifted, but has lazy study habits – how can I spur him on?
• My third phonics program has failed — what method might work to teach my special needs child?
• I want my child to love learning about the world God created, but our science curriculum is boring them to tears – what can I do?
• How can I instill a thankful heart in my child?
• How can I teach my children to have a strong work ethic?
• How can I glorify God in my home and in my homeschool?
• How can I make my marriage a priority when home education claims so much of my time?

The knowledge we seek may be academic, spiritual, emotional, psychological, relational, or otherwise, but ultimately it all goes back to God. We ask and He will provide. And the process of asking and waiting for the answer is one of learning to trust Him. Our faith is bolstered. We become a woman who fears the Lord.

Knowledge and wisdom are often used interchangeably. But I like to think of it this way: knowledge is what I glean from studying God’s Word and asking Him for answers. Wisdom is how He leads me to apply that knowledge. Then, as we cooperate with Him, we exercise discipline to incorporate the answers into life.

Do you want to be a woman who “fears the Lord?” Would you ask God to place that desire in your heart? Will you choose to pray over every large and small decision and challenge in your life? Are you ready to seek knowledge, wisdom, and discipline that only God can provide?

The woman of God fears the Lord.

 

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Come back this Tuesday, July 31st,
to download the next installment
in the Write The Word series.