Proverbs 19:23: The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction.
Insight
The fear of the Lord does not mean that you are cringing, constantly in dread, living a life of terror. This proverb makes it clear that the real fear of God means that you can rest satisfied. It means that you recognize Him, you have looked to Him, you have accepted Him, and you want to follow Him. Now you can rest satisfied. 1
Application
In all of the trials and sufferings that Paul experienced, he was still able to express a deep satisfaction with his relationship with the Lord, which is found in Philippians 4:11–13: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Please notice that it is something he learned, it did not come automatically because he was a Christian. Perhaps you are also wanting to experience this same contentment but do not know how. Please consider how you can begin today:
- You recognize Him by surrendering everything to Him.
- You look to Him, and not to your situation.
- You accepted Him and His Word.
- You choose to follow Him in full obedience.
This is how you can begin to learn to abide with greater satisfaction.
Motivation
Be content with such things as you have…. Hebrews 13:5
Abiding satisfaction is found by abiding in the only One that can truly satisfy. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please teach me how to depend upon You for everything.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
