Wisdom: The Principle ThingSample

The Fear of the Lord

There are many people walking aimlessly through life with no fear of where they are heading after death. They have no sense of their sinfulness, and although claim to be righteous, they are mindlessly leading themselves down a path of destruction. These fools hold themselves high up, praising their sin and wickedness, and elevating themselves to the same level of God. I used to be there before Christ pulled me out of this pit of despair—daily I praised the gods in my life rather than exalting the true, triune God.

Proverbs 1:7 states clearly that those who don't know and fear the Lord do not obtain any knowledge. This "fear" is not distrustful terror of God, but rather, it is the reverent awe and praising response of faith to the God who reveals Himself as Lord and Creator over all. It is willfully submitting our lives to the One who laid down His life for us. He is our Almighty. He is our Majesty. He is our Heavenly Father. He is ruler over all, creator of the Heavens and Earth.

The wisdom that leads to life and ultimately where joy begins is knowing and fearing God. Christians, we must not seek refuge, joy, and hope in anywhere other than Him. This means realizing what fearful prospect it is to stop trusting and depending on God to meet all of our needs, for He is the only One who can truly do so. Only with fear and amazement at our Lord, we will find true wisdom and understanding. Sisters, do not be like fools who do not value Scripture and are enemies to wisdom—but be women who fear the Lord, giving Him your utmost praise (Proverbs 31:30).

Let us take these teachings from Proverbs 1 and apply them to our everyday lives. Let us be fearful children of the Lord, soaking up all the knowledge He has given to us in His Word. And let us strive to integrate this fear and awe into our families as mothers, fathers, and children.