“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Scripture reading: Proverbs 26:1-8
It is strange that in our society we often give movie stars and sports personalities more honor than we give policemen. If you watch reality TV shows about policemen, you’ll find there is an increasing lack of respect for them and you’ll even see violent attacks against them. And they serve us and protect us.
But God commands you to show honor! Start with the fifth commandment and honor those on whom God places honor: parents, elders, teachers, employees, etc. (Proverbs 3:35). Respect them and treat them well.
You are able to humble yourself and honor others when you remember what you were before and what the Lord Jesus has made of you. You were the pauper running madly to hell. He rescued you and gave you a new heart, a new record and a new life. You were brought into His kingdom, protected and fed. He then commands you to honor those over you.
Then make it easy for people to honor you by living well. Don’t praise yourself; wait for honor. As Proverbs 27:2 says:
“Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”
Or as we read in Proverbs 12:9:
“Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.”
Gain honor by fearing the Lord (Proverbs 15:33). Don’t be proud. Pride will destroy you (Proverbs 18:12). Or as it says in Proverbs 25:27,
“It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one’s own glory is not glory.”
Suggestions for prayer
Pray that you will worship and honor God in humility and that you will not boast about what you are or have accomplished and that you will honor those God has placed over you.
This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mitchell Persaud is pastor of New Horizon URC in Scarborough, ON, a mission church under the oversight of Cornerstone URC in London, ON. He was born in Guyana, South America, into a Hindu home, baptized Roman Catholic, raised Pentecostal and then became Reformed.
