Lord God Wisdom Devotional

Fear of the Lord

Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day. (Proverbs 23:17, AMP)

Read Proverbs 8 today!

Let’s finish this week by looking at the “Fear of the Lord”.  Altogether, this phrase occurs fourteen times in the book of Proverbs.  If something is worth mentioning fourteen times, than my guess is it’s pretty important.  Let’s take a look at some more of Solomon’s thoughts on this.

A number of words are translated as “fear” in the Old Testament… But the way we see it used in the Proverbs is a little different.  The phrase, “fear of the Lord” does not mean to be afraid of God.  This phrase is really about an attitude before God.  An attitude of honor and trust in the Lord.  If we truly have a fear of the Lord, our lives will prove it.

People will see that there is something different about us.  A person who fears the Lord does not have a sense of entitlement, he or she is humble, appreciates the work of God, continuously gives glory back to God, not-self and responds to God with a sense of awe.  A life of wisdom begins with a fear of the Lord!

“The fear of the Lord leads to life: then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (Proverbs 19:23)

The fear of the Lord is the foundation of a good life.  Obedience to God produces a greater length of life and offers a superior quality of life.  I want to have the supreme quality of life that only God offers!

“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

Every good thing that we experience in life proceeds from humility towards God.  The fullness of life can only be experienced in God and this experience flows from a life of humility.  What characterizes your life?

“He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him.”  (Proverbs 14:2)

Every attitude produces an act and every act reveals character.  What does your attitude reveal about you?  May we learn to walk uprightly in the fear of the Lord!

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)

This passage of Scripture shares the vast contrast between humility and arrogance.  Anyone who fears the Lord will not be impressed by his or her own wisdom, but only by the wisdom of God.  When we acknowledge where true wisdom comes from, we will enjoy a well-ordered life.  A life of health and strength in the Lord!

Dear Father God, I pray that my awe of You will be increased on a daily basis.  May I rest in You and find that only You offer the tools for a good life.  Please continue to scrape out the remnants of pride in my life and in its place please give me a true humility.  May I walk uprightly before You all the days of my life and may I acknowledge that true wisdom comes from You alone!

Finding True Wisdom in the fear of the Lord,

1 reply
  1. Marilyn
    Marilyn says:

    Loved your content Sarah, very well-written and informative. Thank you so much for sharing.
    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God (hate evil), and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The greatest commandment is to love God, love one’s self, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Check this out The Fear of the Lord Hope this will enlighten us.

    Reply

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