Dear brothers and sisters-in-Christ,
The Bible tells us that we can have wisdom and knowledge. However, this must begin with the fear of the Lord. Therefore, “the fear of the Lord” is an important subject matter to you, me as well as to every individual Christian outside of this Church.
The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is to show a young person how he can live his life in a manner that is pleasing to God. However, older people are included as well.
The word “fear” has other meanings like terror, dismay, horror, dread of people in uncertain and dangerous situations. But this was not in the mind of Solomon when he wrote this: the word “fear” in the context in which it is used is in reference to awe, reverence and love for the Lord. We fear God because we are creatures made by Him. However, He is also our heavenly Father, so, as children, we love Him and obey what He tells us to do. It is the same kind of fear that a child has towards his parents in knowing that he is punishable for his disobedience and there is fear because no punishment is without pain nor hurt.
But to know that one’s disobedience can cause greater hurt to his parents, therefore the response is to obey because love is greater than fear. “The fear of the Lord” is a deep-seated reverence and adoration for the Lord to restrain one from committing things which will grieve His heart.
Genuine fear for the Lord is not only to hear what He says but to do His Word.
The word “fear” appears many times in the Book of Proverbs. Below are a few selected verses to benefit our lives that the fear of the Lord produces, to help us throughout this week in the various places that we may be stationed in.
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”
Proverbs 14:27, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
The Fear the Lord makes us wise; it motivates us to live a holy life; it makes us humble and gives us life and safety in God. If we are not walking in the fear of the Lord, we will fear everything else but the Lord. May we walk in fear not in the sense of terror or dread but in reverence and love for Him.
Pastor Douglas Ho