The fear of the Lord

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10). I was a child with childlike faith, starting to read my new red Bible on my own. 

And Proverbs was my favorite. 

I saw that phrase several times. “The fear of the Lord.” Throughout the Book of Proverbs.

I didn’t really understand what it meant at the time. 

But I did know this. God made me feel safe. Not afraid. 

Be sober-minded

There would be a season in adolescence when the gravity of God’s holiness stopped me in my tracks. Instilled awe. Silenced my flippant remarks and casual references.  

Peter repeats “be sober-minded” in his first letter to the exiles dispersed abroad. 

I noticed. 

And for the first time felt the weight of it. To know and walk in the fear of the Lord. Alert and sober-minded.

The fear of the Lord repeated

In recent years I’ve taken note of this in daily Bible readings. Meditated on it. Prayed for our family, for new believers—that we might live in the fear of the Lord and not the fear of man.

And I’ve come to believe the fear of the Lord is repeated throughout Scripture for a reason. 

For the glory of God and for the good of His people.

Old Testament treasure

Job says that God understands the way to wisdom.

And in the midst of loss and painful sores and judgmental sermons from those who pondered his condition, he repeats God’s words, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28).

David sings of the difference between the fear of the Lord and being afraid.  

For this is a fear that delivers us from all our fears.  And rescues us from troubles. A fear that provides for our needs.  And it is a fear that we learn. (Psalm 34:1-14)

As we learn the fear of the Lord, He teaches us the wisdom of fully depending on Him. He is the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present Father.  

This is treasure revealed. Mystery ever unfolding.

New Testament living

It’s found not only in Old Testament narrative and proverbs and songs and prophecy. We see it in the new covenant as well. 

During the first years of the early church, Luke records, “So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers” (Acts 9:31).

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. 

The beginning of wisdom

Then Paul gives a rich insight into those words I first read as a young child: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” 

“It is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

The beginning of wisdom? Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise our God

So rejoice in the fear of the Lord. Rejoice in the wisdom from God who is our Lord and Savior.  Rejoice in the One who is our righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

“A voice came from the throne, saying,
‘Praise our God,
all his servants, and the ones who fear Him,
both small and great!”
(Revelation 19:5)

What about you?

Have you ever struggled to understand what it means to fear the Lord?  How does the fear of the Lord practically impact your life today?

Related posts: “Teach me Your way, Lord…” ; The beginning of wisdom ; When I am afraid I will trust in You ; Healing hurts and counting stars