The Beginning of Wisdom
07/07/2025
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The book of Proverbs is like a treasure chest filled with practical wisdom for life, but right here in this short verse, we find the master key to unlocking all of it: the fear of the Lord. Not fear as in terror or dread, but a deep reverence, awe, and recognition of who God is, His holiness, His power, His justice, and His love.
Wisdom doesn’t begin with textbooks, TED Talks, or trending philosophies, it begins when we humbly bow our hearts before God and acknowledge His rightful place in our lives. When we fear the Lord, we no longer live as if we are the center of the universe. We begin to see life through His lens, not ours.
Think of a compass. A compass only works correctly when it is aligned to true north. Likewise, our minds and hearts can only truly navigate life rightly when aligned with the Creator of life. That’s what the fear of the Lord does, it calibrates our souls to the truth.
The second part of the verse is equally powerful: “knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” True understanding isn’t just knowing about God, it’s knowing God. A personal, growing relationship with Him. Just as you understand someone better the more time you spend with them, so it is with the Lord. The more we walk with Him, the clearer our understanding of the world becomes.
Imagine two people: One is incredibly intelligent, has degrees from prestigious universities, and yet lives in constant turmoil and discontent. The other is a humble woman with simple faith, who rises early to read Scripture and pray. Her life radiates peace, patience, and purpose. Which one is truly wise? According to Scripture, it’s the one who fears the Lord and walks in knowledge of Him.
Here’s some things you can do to help you on your journey.
Spend a few minutes in silence today, acknowledging God’s greatness and holiness.
Read through Proverbs 9 and highlight any verses that challenge or inspire you.
Ask God to reveal any area where you’ve been trusting in your own wisdom rather than His.
Begin your prayers today with praise instead of petitions, exalting God for who He is.
My challenge for you is this:
Choose reverence over self-reliance. When faced with a decision today, pause and ask, “What would honor the Lord in this moment?” Let that fear, the holy, awe-filled kind, shape your steps.
Lord, You are holy, mighty, and full of glory. I want to walk in Your wisdom, not the world’s. Help me to fear You rightly, not with dread, but with deep reverence and trust. Teach me to know You more, to love You more, and to follow You more closely each day. Align my heart with Yours, and let my life reflect the beauty of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The book of Proverbs is like a treasure chest filled with practical wisdom for life, but right here in this short verse, we find the master key to unlocking all of it: the fear of the Lord. Not fear as in terror or dread, but a deep reverence, awe, and recognition of who God is, His holiness, His power, His justice, and His love.
Wisdom doesn’t begin with textbooks, TED Talks, or trending philosophies, it begins when we humbly bow our hearts before God and acknowledge His rightful place in our lives. When we fear the Lord, we no longer live as if we are the center of the universe. We begin to see life through His lens, not ours.
Think of a compass. A compass only works correctly when it is aligned to true north. Likewise, our minds and hearts can only truly navigate life rightly when aligned with the Creator of life. That’s what the fear of the Lord does, it calibrates our souls to the truth.
The second part of the verse is equally powerful: “knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” True understanding isn’t just knowing about God, it’s knowing God. A personal, growing relationship with Him. Just as you understand someone better the more time you spend with them, so it is with the Lord. The more we walk with Him, the clearer our understanding of the world becomes.
Imagine two people: One is incredibly intelligent, has degrees from prestigious universities, and yet lives in constant turmoil and discontent. The other is a humble woman with simple faith, who rises early to read Scripture and pray. Her life radiates peace, patience, and purpose. Which one is truly wise? According to Scripture, it’s the one who fears the Lord and walks in knowledge of Him.
Here’s some things you can do to help you on your journey.
Spend a few minutes in silence today, acknowledging God’s greatness and holiness.
Read through Proverbs 9 and highlight any verses that challenge or inspire you.
Ask God to reveal any area where you’ve been trusting in your own wisdom rather than His.
Begin your prayers today with praise instead of petitions, exalting God for who He is.
My challenge for you is this:
Choose reverence over self-reliance. When faced with a decision today, pause and ask, “What would honor the Lord in this moment?” Let that fear, the holy, awe-filled kind, shape your steps.
Lord, You are holy, mighty, and full of glory. I want to walk in Your wisdom, not the world’s. Help me to fear You rightly, not with dread, but with deep reverence and trust. Teach me to know You more, to love You more, and to follow You more closely each day. Align my heart with Yours, and let my life reflect the beauty of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments