When we think of fear in this day and age I feel that we go straight to the things associated with fear. Freddy Kruger, Jason, Michael Meyers from the various horror film franchises. But true fear begins in the heart with the Lord. This fear is not like you would find in the movie theater where your date holds your hand simply because she is scared. This fear is a respect, a reverence. This fear is very personal as we will see in today's reading.
"The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning [the chief and choice part] of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight to understanding." Proverbs 9:10, Amplified
Wisdom begins in the fear of the Lord. If we respect our teachers in life, we are more prone to listen to what they have to teach us. The same thing can be said of the Lord. To respect the Lord is to read His Word, pray everyday and take what we have received from Him and apply it in our lives. Jonah was a man who at one time did not fear the Lord. He became defiant, so much so that he ended up at the bottom of the ocean in the belly of a fish. Is this where our lack of fear needs to take us before we really understand? The Lord does not desire to have us all in the belly of fishes. He would much rather we go to our Ninevites and complete the task that is given to us. When Jonah finally got to his destination, the entire nation received what the Lord had to give them as well. Are we too selfish to share what the Lord is giving to us? Respect the Lord with everything that is within you for you never know how you might be used to affect the world, or just a single life.
"For by me [Wisdom from God], your days shall be multiplied and the years of your life shall be increased." Proverbs 9:11, Amplified
With wisdom from God comes a longer life. Wisdom from God creates a cleaner living environment for ourselves. Better choices are made for ourselves. Notice the theme right now. It is very personal, very me centered. Our walk with the Lord does not include anyone else. It is like this bubble that no one else can enter. My fear, my respect effects my relationship with the Lord, and the same can be said of you and yours.
"If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scorn, you alone will bear it and pay the penalty." Proverbs 9:12, Amplified
This fear that we have will bring with is longer life and a multitude of days and I alone will benefit. However, if I scoff at the gentle rebukes and kind instruction of the Lord I will have no one else to blame but myself. AS I stated before, our walk with the Lord is very personal, the choices we make in that walk are blessings, or curses, that we alone will have to deal with. Either respect the Lord and live, or scorn the Lord and pay the penalty. Decide today.
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