“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” Proverbs 9:10-12
There are 2, almost identical invitations in this chapter. In verses 3-5 wisdom sends out her servants and calls out over the city, inviting everyone. She goes after the simple and those lacking judgement. She draws them in so they can leave their simple ways behind and learn to use good judgement. The second invite is from ‘folly,’ in verses 14-16, she also looks out over the city and calls out to men going by, the simple and those lacking judgement. She entices them with food and drink in secret and hidden places. Her invite leads to dead things.
Wisdom or folly? Which will I be led by? Which invite will I accept? How will I stay aware of the enemy’s trap to lead me into foolish things away from truth and good judgment?
I find the answer to my questions here in verse 10, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.” This verse doesn’t mean I’m frightened or scared of the Lord, it’s a reverence, a yielding to, a trust in, faith that goes beyond sight, a complete surrender to the disciplines and instructions from Him, from His Word. This yielding and surrender leads me to knowing Him, which leads me to have good judgment because of the wisdom He freely gives.
When I choose Him and grow in wisdom, it brings me life. This is why His Word is so important and why I must read and study it daily. The more I know of who He is, the closer I get to Him, all leads me to more wisdom I gain establishing a strong and lasting foundation for my life. When I fail to go after Him and read His word, I am willingly allowing myself to accept foolish living.
Lord, continue leading me to your Word. I pray for more understanding and a deep hunger for the wisdom it gives. Draw me in and speak to me through the written Words. Thank you for grace that keeps me when I lack judgement and compensates for my simple mindedness. Thank you, Lord, for continued growth in my life and a stronger mind to live by your disciplines and teachings. Amen.
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Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the holy one is understanding.
To me having a reverent fear of God means to know who he is and what he is capable of. Like a child loves their parent but fear is them at the same time because they rebuke or discipline can cause great pain. Knowing God is knowing that He is always Good and He is the one who holds our future he is the one that should matter most in our life!
Prayer
Father God I need you! You are my creator, my salvation, my healer, my protector, my portion, my provision, my refuge, my victory my strength and so much more. The more I live for You the more I learn about who you are for me! I pray that you will help me to keep these truths in my heart and that my actions would testify to who You are, drawing others closer to You! In Jesus Holy Name. Amen!