Daily Devotions – The Fear of the Lord

Daily Devotions – The Fear of the Lord

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Proverbs 1:1-7

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Today we begin a study of the entire book of Proverbs. Each week the Sunday sermons will look at passages from throughout the book that deal with a specific topic, such as wise emotions or wise relationships. In our weekday devotions, we will read the book as it was intended to be read, verse by verse, beginning to end, covering about three chapters a week. As you read or listen to the beginning verses of this beautiful book, reflect on which of the gifts of wisdom you need the most today. Perhaps it is prudence, or discretion, or guidance, or the ability to do the right thing? Then read verse seven several times. This teaching is a central theme for the whole book, and we will see it again. Without the “fear of the Lord,” we have no wisdom, because we are unteachable. When we fear the Lord, we humble ourselves before God, recognizing that God knows something we don’t. Our sinful desires lead us to ignore God, and try to “figure it out on our own.” And on our own, we simply do not have enough wisdom for the challenges of life. Pray for God to show you his majesty, so that you more deeply revere him and more eagerly desire his wisdom.