Learning to Fear the LORD is the Best Place to Begin

    It’s hard to admit that we don’t know something, isn’t it? We would like to be regarded as wise and learned having something to offer others by way of information or advice. We read newspapers, webpages, and self-help books, we may watch the news and all the current TED talks; we even save up money to send our children to college/university because we want them to be educated and have “a good start in life.”

    There is nothing wrong with any of these pursuits as long as first and foremost we learn to fear God and we teach our children to also fear the Lord (consider Deuteronomy 31:12-13, Psalm 78:4-7)!

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have those who do His commandments.” (Psalm 111:10 NKJV)

    The proverbs declare that fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7, read vv28-32 to see their result) and that the fear of the Lord is the very first – and necessary – step in attaining knowledge and gaining wisdom.

    How do we fear the Lord and attain knowledge?

    We need to humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge that everything we see – everything we need in order to exist – was brought about through God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding – EVERYTHING (Genesis 1, Proverbs 3:19-20)! God did all this so that we might seek Him (Acts 17:24-27), fear Him (Psalm 33:8) and tell our children of His wondrous ways (Deuteronomy 4:10, Psalm 145:1-7, 10-13)!

    We also need to acknowledge that although there are many pathways that have been devised by man through the centuries, that there is only ONE path that leads us toward God (Matthew 7:13-14) and access to that one pathway is found only in His Word (John 8:31-32, 14:6)! Compare what you are being taught at church services to what is found in the Bible. Are things being left out? Are things being added? Divergences from the path is no longer the path!  

    Obedience to God’s commands will give you good understanding. For example, there are promised blessings that can only be received through obedience of His commands. Consider the command found in Philippians 4:6-7, ‘Be anxious for nothing, instead pray and be thankful,' the blessing from obeying is that ‘you will receive the peace of God that surpasses all understanding and it will guard your heart and mind through Jesus.’

    When we obey and see the result we will gain understanding of God’s wisdom, His faithfulness, and His love; we will grow to respect and trust Him more, leading us toward greater wisdom and greater understanding as we grow and develop our faith in obedience to Him!

    The very best start you can give yourself is to humble yourself and fear God enough to seek HIM, through HIS word and in obedience to HIS way and in doing so gain wisdom and good understanding, teaching your children through word and example to do the same! Gain the type of wisdom that will be valuable to all generations!

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15:33 NKJV)

From wherever you are right now – BEGIN!