A lot of us grew up with sermons that caused us to “fear God,” but not in the way the Bible intended. We heard about heaven on Sunday mornings, but we also heard about the reality of hell. At the end of the sermon, we were either glad we were going to heaven or we wanted to feel that confidence. 

We don’t hear as many of those sermons these days, which can be both good and bad. When the Bible tells us to fear God, we are being taught to live in reverent awe of his immeasurable greatness. To fear God is to understand that his wrath is the result of his love for all of creation. God’s wrath falls on those who refuse to acknowledge they have a Creator who loves them enough to give them his Son.

The psalmist wrote, “The fear of the Lᴏʀᴅ is the beginning of wisdom.” To live daily in reverent awe of the Creator God is to begin to understand who he is and all that he is capable of. The beginning of wisdom is coming to the realization that the Source of all life deeply loves every life.

When we want to gain God’s wisdom, we must take an important first step. We must spend time knowing who God is and all he is capable of so that we will live in reverent awe, willing to submit ourselves to his abundant perfection.

According to the psalmist, “Those who practice” knowing God in that way “have good understanding.” The Creator God—the One we know and fearfully, reverently follow—has been “praised” from the very beginning of time and is still praised by his followers today.

Those who are depressed can find joy in his love. Those who are worried can receive his peace and comfort. Those who are ill or elderly can find their purpose for each day. All of us who fear God will praise God for who he is.

God’s priorities are wisdom. The beginning of wisdom is knowing God at the deepest levels. God wants us to fear him so that we will want to walk with him. 

Can you take a few minutes and consider the question “Why do I fear God?” 

Those answers can be the beginning of your path to new wisdom and holy priorities.