Read: Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (v. 11)
Fear God? What does that mean? It’s this: you must know he holds your life in his hand now and forever. As you obey various laws because of the fear of justice, you must fear God whose justice is pure, to punish you and to save you when you rebel. Read the Bible, and you will repeatedly see that God severely punishes his sinful people when they have no fear of his justice. Unafraid of God, they live in their own way until God comes to punish them.
Yes, it’s true. God is just and cannot tolerate evil. He will deal with it now, and ultimately he will deal with it for eternity. That’s why he sent Jesus. He gives you a way to escape his wrath. Jesus saves, and you must have an appropriate fear of God’s wrath in order to receive God’s grace. This grace saves you from wrath and develops an appropriate fear to seek God’s truth. A “good fear” of God means you value eternal life enough to turn from evil. That fear will generate a desire to seek wisdom that will bring your heart, mind, and soul to love God and thereby be saved to eternal life.
God has birthed you. Your life is his. Be grateful you can turn to God and be saved. —Bob James
As you pray, ask God to give you a right fear, to seek his wisdom.
About the Author
Reverend Bob James heads the non-profit organization One With God, which he formed to teach pastors and feed orphans across the globe. He produces daily Bible lessons, study books and commentaries to disciple pastors and church leaders.
