Focus Chapters:
- Proverbs 30-31
Standout Verse(s):
Proverbs 31:30 NLT
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Observation (s):
- We focus on being charming and beautiful to receive praise, however, these two qualities do not last.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
- The woman/man who focuses on pleasing the Lord shall be praised.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Application:
In this world, charm and beauty are valued and praised highly. There are few things in this world like a handsome man who is charming or a beautiful female who has mastered charm. It’s an everyday thing to be praised and admired for being charming or beautiful. In fact, this has caused persons to go out of their way to ensure that they are meeting the beauty standards accepted by the world. This may include applying makeup, dieting and exercising religiously to be thin like a stick or undergoing surgery to achieve fuller lips and higher cheekbones. Despite all this effort, beauty does not last and when it fades, the praises fade with it.
Being charming opened the doors to new opportunities for many persons. A primary example of this is politicians whose primary responsibility during elections involves charming their constituents into placing trust in them and electing them to their offices. Once the elections end, the constituents then realize that truly charm is deceptive. This usually occurs when the politicians show their true colours or refuse to live up to their electoral promises or get caught up in a variety of scandals.
What Proverbs urges us to be like is the woman who refuses to focus purely getting praise through beauty and charm. Instead she places her trust in God and demonstrates her respect of His authority by living by His covenant. Her focus remains on something that will last forever and be of great value to her, the fear of the Lord. For this, she shall surely receive never-ending praise.
You will never gain lasting praise by being charming or beautiful. Focus on fearing the Lord. You shall be praised eternally.
