Verse: Proverbs 9:10-11
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
Devotion
I’ve always liked these verses because they are foundational in our walk with the Lord. But I always wondered how I should be in fear of the Lord and at the same time be in a loving conversation with my heavenly Father. While translations often use just the word fear, an expanded translation would include reverence and awe for how we should rightly approach the throne of the One that created all things magnificently. Our foundational knowledge of God the Father should include the One who is all present, all knowing, all powerful, fully righteous.
So while awe and reverence include a type of fear, it’s not the cringing in a corner kind, afraid to make a mistake, wanting to hid from an angry God type. It’s more like the little child who sees his parent as all powerful and all knowing. This child knows who he is with this parent and can relax in the safety of His presence. By knowing who we are in the Lord and who He is, we can begin to understand who we are in relationship to others and to the world. It helps us understand our purpose on earth, to glorify Him and to bring Him to others.
The second verse promises many benefits to gaining this wisdom, including a longer life. This is further understood from Prov 14:27 where it says: “the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death”. I am sure that we have all had instances where we look back at a bad decision and feel like we have dodged a bullet. Walking with the Lord, in His right path for us, will keep us from the snares of death and allow us to life a long life.
Who wouldn’t want a long, prosperous, meaningful life? This is ours if we begin our walk each day with the knowledge that God not only loves us completely but also deserves our reverence, respect and awe. Then each day will be filled with the wisdom of God for us as we deal with all of life’s difficulties.
Prayer
Lord, help us to see you as you are, the most High God of the universe. Be with us today and give us wisdom in all that we do.
Author: Brad Dunn
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