The Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. ~ Psalms 111:10
Some believe the fear of the Lord means being terrified of Him. To this, I say: if you don’t know His love and salvation personally, you should be afraid of facing a holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly just God. Without Him, you stand guilty before His righteousness. But here’s the amazing truth: God does not desire for us to live in fear of punishment. Instead, He invites us into a loving relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus.
When you know God personally, you discover that His love and grace are unending, His mercy is everlasting, and He delights in blessing His children. There is no good thing He will withhold from those who walk uprightly with Him (Psalm 84:11).
In today’s reading, the scripture says the fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. The wisdom that you find when you start fearing Him is recognizing your need for God in your life. It’s realizing His greatness and holiness, which leads you to understand your deep need for Him. This fear is the foundation of true wisdom because it acknowledges God as the source of life, truth, and salvation.
The first step toward wisdom is admitting that you cannot save yourself from the penalty of sin. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But the good news is that Jesus paid the price for your sins by dying on the cross. Through His sacrifice, you are offered the gift of eternal life and a restored relationship with God.
If you feel God tugging at your heart, inviting you to know Him personally, here’s what you can do next:
- Acknowledge Your Need for God
Recognize that you cannot save yourself and need Jesus as your Savior. - Turn Away from Sin
Repent by turning away from sin and surrendering your life to God. - Accept Jesus into Your Life
Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again and invite Him to be Lord of your life. - Spend Time in God’s Word
Begin reading the Bible daily to learn more about God’s character and His promises. Psalms is a great place to start. - Pray Regularly
Develop a relationship with God through prayer, sharing your heart with Him and seeking His guidance. Prayer is a two way conversation, so make sure you not only talk to Him, but you also spend time listen to His Spirit speak to your heart. - Connect with a Community of Believers
Find a church or small group where you can grow in your faith and be encouraged by others.
Today I want to encourage you to invite Jesus into your life. If you have never asked Him to come in and be your savior, do it today. If you have asked in the past, but didn’t do anything after to grow your relationship with Him, start spending special time with Him today. Then make it a daily appointment and press into His love and Kindness. You can be as close to Him as you want to be. All it takes is your time and commitment.
Pray: Heavenly Father, I come to You today, realizing my need for You. I confess that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I might have eternal life. Lord Jesus, I invite You into my heart as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me of my sins, cleanse me, and make me new. Empower me to live for You and follow Your ways. Thank You for Your love, grace, and the gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to God’s family! Take the next steps to grow in your faith, and remember, His praise endures forever. Trust Him, walk in His wisdom, and watch as He transforms your life.
Bottom of Form
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure.
8 They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
The Daily Dose 