Fear is the Beginning

Last time we explored one of the negative sides of fear. Earthly fear is a trap to get us to stop trusting in God.

But not all fear is negative. Some fear is not only necessary but actually good.

David and Solomon teach us about a fear that is both necessary and good and that fear is the Fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow His precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10)

Having the proper fear, respect, and reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. It provides us with instruction and understanding. It is important to fear and respect because He is our creator and judge. He is the only Holy One – the only Righteous One. There is none like God and none of us can ever be equal to God.

Fearing God is not just trembling at His power but also respecting His position and authority.

In this case, respect, fear, and reverence are intertwined. Fear of the Lord is not a trap. It does not ensnare us or confuse us. Fear of the Lord is not quaking in His presence (although, I believe we would all do so like Moses, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Isaiah did in their experiences) but about kneeling before our Maker. Fearing the Lord is not about us worrying about the end of all things. Instead, it serves as the beginning of everything for us.

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. It gives us instruction and perspective. It reminds us of our position relative to God. It focuses our mind on respect and reverence. It motivates us to obey.

So, remember what David wrote:

Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling. (Psalm 2:11) #FearoftheLord