The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! – Psalm 111:10
Have you ever struggled with a major decision? Each person makes simple decisions each day: what to wear, how to navigate traffic, whether to pick up the dry cleaning or leave it for tomorrow. Yours could involve any number of other things, but you make your decision, do what you intended, and move ahead. There are many different types of decisions, and most are fairly small.
But put yourself in the shoes of a Fortune 500 CEO. His or her decisions are far more complex, dynamic, and they often have long-range bearing on the health of the business. According to a survey by McKinsey Research, “inefficient decision-making costs a typical Fortune 500 company 530,000 days of managers’ time each year, equivalent to about $250 million in actual wages.”
Famed New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra once said of decision-making, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” Humorous, but not real advice. Making good and right decisions takes wisdom, and the Bible has a lot to say about that. Knowledge is important. Understanding has its place. However, there is no substitute for real wisdom, which comes from the application of both knowledge and understanding. James 1:5-6 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.”
Theologian Warren Wiersbe writes, “To fear the Lord means to seek to glorify God in everything we do. It means listening to His Word, honoring it, and obeying it.” To fear the Lord in your decision-making is to trust Him to help keep your priorities straight (Proverbs 3:6). Be sure to honor the Lord with your praises, for you have confidence that all things will work together for good, including those hard decisions, when you love God and live according to His purpose for you (Romans 8:28).
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 111
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
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.
