WISDOM WEDNESDAY

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 110:10.

Even though we are allowed access to the throne of God through the work of Christ, we still exercise the fear of God. For believers, that means that we approach him with reverence and awe.  He is God.

Those who receive Christ as savior realize the tremendous blessing of the right to approach the throne of grace. We enjoy this privilege, but we do not abuse it. Those who love God know he is entitled to worship and reverence.

Within this proper relationship is the beginning of wisdom. You cannot be wise unless you first understand that there is a God and you are not him. Realizing this, you see the world in proper perspective. You see that God is sovereign, not yourself, and you live in peace knowing he is in control. You see that he directs your paths, so you can stop worrying. You know that he is all knowing and nothing surprises him, so you need not fear when you encounter something unexpected.

Fear of the Lord is also the beginning of wisdom because he is the source of all wisdom. Solomon is portrayed in the Bible as the wisest man ever. What was the source of his wisdom? It was God. God told Solomon “Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:12)

You may not be a wise as Solomon in his prime, but, if you pursue the Lord in reverence, you will increase in wisdom. The study of his word will allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the mind of God and the pursuit of prayer will keep you in communion with him.

I have observed many old saints through the years in my church. I have seen how many, in their last decades, were wise beyond measure. They could quote and apply scripture to any situation. They trusted God in all things. They discerned truth from error. They knew the will of God.

Be reverent and be wise.