The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7
If a fruit tree looked full in leaf and branch yet never produced the fruit it was meant to yield, you would question its health. Similarly, those who seem knowledgeable about different aspects of life yet question the existence of God, or treat the thought of Him as foolishness, are themselves lacking and foolish… and unhealthy. It is only by reverence for the Holy, Creator God that one can enjoy completeness in life on this earth.
The Israelites were reminded that it was the Lord God who brought them out of slavery in the land of Egypt. It was He who would continue to provide for them. He was in their midst and deserved a most reverent attitude and obedient spirit. He always had their well-being in mind (Deuteronomy 6:10-13).
Acknowledging God as your Creator, Sustainer, and Provider is the basis for understanding His will and His Word and applying it to every aspect of your life. The fear of the Lord – reverence and awe of Him – frees you from worry. Having a “fear of the Lord” is the foundation of a disciplined and holy life for you today (Proverbs 1:2-3). You can have peace in a world where wickedness, instability, and anxiety abound.
Be completely devoted to God, subjecting your will to His. The Lord’s instruction is true and His wisdom is available to those who worship and seek Him. Pray for the governing officials and people of this nation who do not recognize the existence of the Everlasting God to come to know and fear Him so their lives become fruitful.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Job 28:12, 23-28
12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
