Bible Reading: Proverbs 1:1-33
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
God is so great that for want of word, he is described as Almighty; Omni-potent; Omni-scient; Omni-present; All-powerful, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Hosea 5:14), a Consuming Fire (Heb. 12:29) and the Creator (Isaiah 43:15) among others. These characteristics of God are enough for you to fear him.
While I was young, I feared my dad and I would not do anything that would go against his instructions. The few times, I did, I made sure he was not around because I knew anytime I was caught I would be punished. A few times, he caught me, he punished me to deter me from repeating the same offence. However I also saw that a number of times, he also did not punish me for reasons unknown to me. However because I never knew when he would punish me, I tried not to venture into what he did not like.
Now that was my earthly father who was limited in knowledge, space, time, wisdom and understanding among others. When we turn our gaze to the Almighty God, we have one who has no limitation in understanding, knowledge, wisdom, time, space etc, we recognize that there is nothing we can do without his knowing. So nothing can be hidden from him. That is why we must fear him.
Our fear of God is truly the beginning of knowledge, as the fear should make us run away from what he hates and embrace what he loves. Proverbs 1:7 (KJV): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Anyone who truly fears God will search for what God hates and ensures that he runs away from such things, while also looking for what God loves and try to love them. This application of the knowledge of God will lead to increase in wisdom.(Psalm 111:10), mercy from God ( Psalm 103:17), security (Psalm 34:7), revelation from God (Psalm 25:14), long life (Prov 10:27), a life of holiness ( Prov 16:6) and wealth (Prov 22:4).
Besides, the reason why God created us is to fear him and keep his commandment. (Eccl 12:13). Let’s obey our father.
Prayer: Father, help me to fear you in everything that I do in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero