SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
Proverbs 2:1-5 My child, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
OBSERVATION: The fear of the Lord is the foundation of understanding, not only the “what” but also the “why” of how life and reality is supposed to work. We live in the information age – full of educated fools. It is one thing to know things, it is quite another to understand what you know, and how it will affect other areas in your life. Foolishness is either a lack of understanding or, even worse, disregarding what you understand. If I know it will burn my hand, but I place it on a hot stove anyway – that is foolish. The fear of the Lord will give us knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the desire to what is right and what pleases God.
APPLICATION: The Word says that the starting place is to ask God for wisdom and the fear of the Lord. In fact, we are not only to ask (James 4:2), but to cry out. It is not a request so much as a plea of desperation. You will never know wisdom until you first recognize your need for it and then go to the Source, daily. As we ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7), God will give us wisdom (Jeremaiah 29:13), and we will begin to grow in the fear of the Lord.
PRAYER: Lord, I love You. Teach me to fear You so I can know You better. Help me to love You and obey You so that my life pleases You. God, I ask that You would give me wisdom and discernment. Help me to see the way You see. I want to love what You love and hate what You hate. Increase my hunger for You. Thank You, holy Father. Amen.
WORSHIP: