"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever."
The reverence and fear of God is the starting place for wisdom. When we drive our cars at 100 kmp in a zone that allows only 70 kmp, and notice a police car parked ahead on the side of the road, we slow down. In fact, a whole series of things straightaway sets into motion. First, our hearts starts to pound faster, and heavier. Our brains notify our legs to let go off the accelerator and ease down on the breaks, without slamming on it. Our eyes look down on the speedometer to ensure that the speed is reduced, then we look in the rearview mirror to see if we have been caught or not. The presence of the policeman has produced a healthy respect for the law. That is, we adjust to the law out of respect for the policeman's authority. One may not like his authority, may not want his authority, or may even be rebellious to his authority--but we still respect it. Think about the utter foolishness and irreverence of a person who, in spite of noticing the policeman speeds up?
Do we as Christians, live our lives according to our own set of laws because we do not respect God or acknowledge His rule over every area of our lives? Just as we respect the laws set up by this world irrespective of the presence of worldly authority, the expression of our fear of God is characterized by how we acknowledge His authority. Truly fearing God means that He is the reference point wherever we go or whatever we do. That is why Isaiah writes, "The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread (Isaiah 8:13)."
Stephen Thomas
Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com
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