Fear!

Fear!

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];  But arrogant  fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. PROVERBS 1:7 AMP

There is a good fear and a bad fear. There is a fear that comforts and gives you wings, and there is a fear that cripples. We note that today's extract says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It starts with knowing who God is, but it does not just end there. You go further by searching, meditating and obeying the Word of God, which bears testimony about this God.

The opposite of the above is also true. The non-fear of God is also real, and evidence of this abounds all around us. No matter how much we read about God's judgement on sin, some people will not fear God. It has always been the way of the world to despise whatever it does not understand or know. How does God reach a heart that holds no regard for wisdom, instruction and self-discipline? If the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, it means that whoever doesn't have this fear cannot know who this God really is, and if you don't know, then you can't relate or obey.

And of course, relationships require time, effort and discipline. The man who does not fear God cannot submit to discipline. Review your life at the moment: what/who do you fear? The answer will determine how far you go in life, and your eternal destination. You don't want to get to the end of your life on earth and discover you had the wrong pursuits and priorities. Ask God to reveal himself to you today. He will. His time of favour is here.