Tonight, I sat on the back porch with a new softy soft blanket and a fire flickering in the fire pit. I sat in silence, babies in bed (so as not to confuse you, they are middle school students, I don’t have babies, but I call them babies), husband off doing the Lord’s work, dogs laying quietly in the corner of the yard, sun setting, fresh air, the sting of yesterday’s sun on my skin, a good book (which I never read a word of) and my thoughts.
My thoughts are dangerous at times and take me to far off places where questions are asked and sometimes knowledge comes and wisdom grows.
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge (its starting point and its essence); but fools despise the skillful and godly wisdom, instruction, and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 Amplified version
The fear of the lord is not fear in the sense of scared. It is an attitude of reverential awe and worship. The fear of the Lord means to recognize Him as creator and to know that His plans stand firm forever. Joy Dawson states “it means to have God’s attitude toward sin, and to have a deep and healthy respect for His character and holiness.”
The fear of God is the basis and motivation for all we do. The fear of the Lord is a healthy dread of displeasing Him. It is the attitude necessary in order for us to know (wisdom) and do what is right. Without the fear of the Lord, there is no reason to respect Him and obey Him. Peace and rest in this life comes from faithful service and obedience to Christ and it is all rooted in the FEAR OF THE LORD.
As I sat with my thoughts, I was overwhelmed with the peace that passes all understanding because I feared the Lord. He is my God. He is my protector. He is the author of my faith and The One who knows the plans He has for me. I need not fear because my Fear is in the Lord. I know Him to be everything I need, everything that will direct my paths straight, everything that will make up my days on this earth and everything that I need for eternity.
I fear the Lord and as I am embraced by His love and the stars begin to shine, I breath in His breath and I am full.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10
It’s the beginning, I have begun.
I looked up Psalm 111:10 and it linked me to Job 28:23 – God understands the way to wisdom and He knows the place of it; Wisdom is with God alone.