Welcome to day two in the One Year Bible readings for 2022. Today the verse from Proverbs jumped out at me. Our readings were
Genesis 3:1-4:26
Matthew 2:13-3:6
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 1:7-9
The verse from Proverbs is often quoted to refute atheists. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," it says. Until we learn to recognize that God is real and that we should respect Him, we lack even basic wisdom.
But let's step back from that and think about what fearing the Lord means. Does that mean that if we're wise we will be afraid and tremble every time we think of God? No. The BEGINNING of wisdom is fearing God. Knowing He's real, and being in awe of Him. Having respect for Him. Not daring to dismiss Him out of hand or ignore His commands. That's the beginning of wisdom.
But there is MORE to wisdom than that. Once we come to know Him better, we learn to love Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but the love of God is the fulfillment of wisdom. We can experience both today as we read about what He's done in our Old Testament and New Testament readings. What jumped out at you today? How does that relate to fearing or loving God?
God, thanks for giving us a healthy fear that is the beginning of wisdom - and teaching us to love You in its fulfillment.
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