The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. – Psalm 111:10
According to World Population Review, as of 2020, 52 nations across the globe were being ruled by a dictator or authoritarian regime. People living under dictatorships have low levels of personal freedom and autonomy and are without political choice, while their rulers maintain power using intimidation, imprisonment, violence, or even assassination. If you pay attention to the news, you can regularly see dictatorships in action. This type of rule has occurred throughout history, and the Bible has included accounts of the people living under such regimes, such as the Hebrews in Egypt or Judah exiled to Babylon. At the time of Jesus and the apostles, the Romans had absolute rule.
Some have suggested that God is a “benevolent dictator,” since He has given commands and expects His people to follow them. However, He has given every person free will, the opportunity to choose to follow Him or to reject Him, to be a part of His kingdom or not! Obedience, love, and fear (awe, reverence, worship) are the triad of the Christian life. “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me” (John 14:21). Our God is awesome. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), He has blessed you, in Christ, with “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3-6), and He has redeemed and adopted you as a member of His family (Galatians 4:5). Fearing Him is showing Him the awesome respect only He deserves.
The fear of the Lord is not a terror or fright; it is holding a reverent awe of and attentiveness to His power, majesty, authority, love, and blessing. “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord” (Psalm 128:1) and “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord“ (Psalm 33:12). Choose today to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him (Joshua 24:14-15).
Today’s Verse: Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
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: Psalm 34:11-18
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
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.
