Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Based on what we know about God, fearing Him should almost be a given. The fear that I believe the verse is referring isn't horror movie fear, well at least not completely. The reality of Hell can just about get you there. But the fear in this verse is a healthy fear like a child has of his parents. The child knows (at least they should) that doing anything against the parents' desires will result in punishment and sometimes that fear is enough to cause them to take the right path. That fear can lead to wise decisions.

Shouldn't our fear of God be all the more intensified? Well the truth is, too often it isn't. Maybe its because we take his grace for granted or maybe because He's chosen to Klein himself invisible to us, but for whatever reason we don't consider the consequences of our actions great enough to change them. Even more, we fail to see the benefits! We miss out on the wisdom that cones from trusting Him.

Is it possible that we fear God but just in the wrong context? I believe part of this fear is understanding the nature of the one you're fearing. He's a loving God, bot seeking to punish us but to bless us, if we'd only obey. Children often sneak behind their parents back so they can do the wrong thing. They obviously fear the consequences but the benefits of doing what's right doesn't outweigh the temptation of doing what is wrong.

God, help us to fear You and to know wisdom. Give us a healthy fear of you that leads to righteous living, not paranoia. Lead us, in Your word, to understand the benefits of obedience. The peace it brings and the blessing we can be to others. Let us not be foolish in trusting our own desires. When we fall away, cause us to learn from Your discipline. Illuminate within us the right perspective of you - a loving Father who wants what's best for his children.

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The Beginning of Wisdom

In the midst of tough economic times, the best is usually not brought out in us. We fear what may befall the financial institutions, what actions Congress will take, how long this will last, how much more value our homes & IRA's will lose, and a host of other things. The glimmering hope in this darkness, however, is that it brings us to a place of need and that gives God something to work with. It gives place in our lives for the realization that we're insufficient without Him.


Beyond financial hardship, so many people I know are dealing with pain & heartache in their lives. Again, something God can work with, but it's very easy for us to rely on worldly tactics for coping. We distract ourselves with parties, gatherings, and whatever fun activities takes our minds off our situation in stead of seeking the One who can heal us.


God's word today, whether or not you're going through hard times, is to follow after Him, not the world.

^"11 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:

¹² "Do not call conspiracy
everything that these people call conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.

¹³ The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,

¹⁴ and he will be a sanctuary;
but for both houses of Israel he will be
a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
a trap and a snare."

Let us fear God and no longer follow after the ways of this people. Study the Word to understand healthy fear of the Lord and to gain a desire to seek after Him. Don't be deceived, that desire doesn't come from will power alone. Don't be like some from the houses of Israel for whom God was a stumbling block. Rather let Him be the Rock on which you stand. Peace & Love