Often times we wish for wisdom….pray for it….look for it….
It is a gift, and all along God tells us in His word where to begin…
Psalm 111:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
“Fear” here is commonly replaced with “respect”. I believe it to be so much more
I “respect” my parents, but I do not “fear” them. They love me and I’ve seen that over and over the last 2- years.
I “fear” God and I “respect” Him. I “fear” what He can do to me, should I do something against His will deliberately. I respect His authority to punish me in any way He sees fit. I know He loves me, for even longer than I’ve been alive.
If our actions were without consequence, or if consequences were never painful or permanent, then fear would be foolish. But our actions and reactions do indeed reap painful results in this present life as well as in eternity. We live under a law of sowing and reaping that is as certain and unrelenting as disease and death. One might forestall the day of reaping, but it always comes with the surety of an eternal lawgiver. If women never slump onto a couch and weep for their loss and loneliness, if children never curse their parents, if no one ever experiences shame and regret, then fear is foolish, and anyone who would promote it would be an enemy of humanity, But if our choices can bring us to miserable ends, then fear is the healthiest deterrent we can have. It is the beginning of wisdom.
God says three times “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Ps.111:10, Prov.9:10, 1:7)
Anything God says three times is worth heeding. Watch out! Must of what you will read in this book was written to put the fear of God into you. I feel that if I can cause young wives to be aware that there are consequences to their actions, they may turn to God now and start sowing to the spirit, rather than to the flesh. By means of letters written to me and from real life examples, I am going to earnestly warn you about where poor choices will take you.
No woman has ever been happy and fulfilled who neglected to obey God in regard to her role as a help meet. <— Tweet Me
Remember in the past weeks we’ve mentioned thanksgiving, joy and contentment? Have you been practicing them?
Think on this …..
As practice enables the pianist to find the right keys without effort or thought, so a woman who practices discontentment will, without thought, hit the notes of bitterness when her chain is pulled. Practicing, always practicing, perfecting her bitterness and discontentment.
Is that what we want to be remembered for?
Previous Posts in this Series
Introduction Once Upon A Time Mr. Right? God Hasn’t Changed His Mind A Merry Heart Change Your Game Plan A Thankful Spirit
Thanksgiving Produces Joy The Gift of Wisdom
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Elizabeth Ours
October 9, 2012 at 8:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
excellent post!
Thanks for this exhortation! And thanks for linking up on my blog!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
simplyhelpinghim
October 9, 2012 at 8:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Absolutely! 🙂 Thank you for hosting and for stoppin by! Blessings!
Callie
October 6, 2012 at 10:52 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hmm, thought-provoking post . . . I agree that the word “respect” isn’t really a good description of the “fear of the Lord” we should have – but if we have a relationship with Him, I don’t think it should be a terrified-type fear either! There’s a healthy fear of the Lord, knowing He is God and all-powerful and that we should watch our actions and try to please Him – but for those of us who are Christians, also knowing that even when we don’t measure up, He has taken care of it for us on the cross. Good thoughts!
simplyhelpinghim
October 6, 2012 at 8:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amen! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Blessings!
laura
October 2, 2012 at 10:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sobering thoughts, friend. Such good words. I”m so glad you linked up with Playdates with God this week 🙂
simplyhelpinghim
October 3, 2012 at 6:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Absolutely! 🙂 Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!
Christina
October 1, 2012 at 7:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, powerful point about practicing bitterness. And it’s so true. I’ve practiced my own scales of discontent, grumbling out each note. Gives me a lot to think about:)
Mary Beth
October 1, 2012 at 3:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve always struggled with the fear and respect tension. I believe you’re right, there is a sense that we fear God and that is healthy because it deters us from wrongdoing. That is the beginning of moral thinking. I believe as we mature, the goal is to pursue righteousness out of our love and respect for God rather than our fear of His consequences. But fear is definitely the beginning. Hope I’m making sense!
renee
October 1, 2012 at 12:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I so enjoy your insight. If only I listened to God the first three times–I think I’m on a different “plan”–the one where God hits me with a brick!
Be Blessed.
simplyhelpinghim
October 1, 2012 at 12:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve been there 😉 Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever learn 😉 LOL! Blessings!
Pamela
October 1, 2012 at 11:36 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My husband and I had this discussion at our dinner table yesterday. To me it seems so easy to submit first of all to God’s wisdom and then to the wisdom of the man God gave me. What excellent thoughts you have shared today. I pray your ministry will be blessed.
simplyhelpinghim
October 1, 2012 at 12:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for your kind words and for stoppin by! Blessings!
Sarah B
October 1, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, I needed these words of wisdom today! Thanks for sharing all of these verses with us! Thanks for linking up for Mommy Moments Monday!
Thenotquitemilitarywife.blogspot.com
simplyhelpinghim
October 1, 2012 at 1:00 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We all need a bit of wisdom 😉 THanks for stoppin by! 🙂
Barbara
October 1, 2012 at 7:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Indeed… such words of wisdom; I will heed them today and work with the Lord! Thanks!
simplyhelpinghim
October 1, 2012 at 8:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
Wisdom ~ While There is Yet Hope | Simply Helping Him
December 27, 2012 at 8:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
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