Every generation has marveled at a sunrise and sunset. Everyone has been startled by a loud clap of thunder. We pause to look at the beauty and wonder in nature because God created all of us with the desire to know him and his unfathomable greatness.

There is a difference between the things people create and the things only God could create. God’s creation is infinite and beyond human ability. God made man in his image, giving him abilities and imagination. However, everything that humans create is finite, having a beginning and an end. 

God wanted us to know his eternal greatness so he created this world to display his power and glory. Humans can only create from what has been created by God’s will. 

We should take great care in our lives to honor and worship the Creator rather than the created. Only God is worthy of our highest praise. He is Lord. His righteous right hand created our world to display his glory. We will love what we extol.

The angels in heaven surround God’s throne saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11). They know he is holy, Almighty God “who was and is and is to come” (v. 8).

Mankind has created some amazing and impressive things, but nothing that has been made is comparable to the work of the Creator. Only God is worthy of our worship. Worship him as the angels in heaven are worshiping him today. He is your holy, Almighty God, worthy of all praise.

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God is worthy of glory and honor and praise.

From the beginning of time, people have worshiped Jehovah God, but there will never be a time when all people will choose to walk in his ways. Adam and Eve’s unbelieving son killed his brother, who had been faithful. Some of King David’s sons worshiped God and others did not. Judas betrayed Jesus, God’s one and only Son. God is perfect and his word proves true. Those who don’t understand or disagree with that fact will always be proven wrong.

God’s way is perfect, but not everyone believes that. God provided his word so that everyone would always know how to live eternally in heaven. Thousands of years later, the word of the Lord has remained true. C. S. Lewis was a brilliant thinker who set out to disprove Scripture and the existence of God. Instead, C. S. Lewis met the Lord in his word and became a brilliant theologian after understanding the Bible was true.

God is a shield of protection to anyone who will trust him with their lives. He cannot be a shield to those who refuse his protection. He created us with free will so we could be made in his image. Our choice is to trust his word and his character or trust something less. But why would we?

God is perfect and so are his ways. God’s word has been proven true in every generation. And God’s promises have been fulfilled and are still being fulfilled today. We all have a choice to make. We can make God’s way our shield and find refuge in him or we can place our trust in something less. 

God is perfectly able, perfectly true, and eternally proven. We can trust him to be our shield and our safe place of refuge. “Choose this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua trusted Jehovah God to do great things. So can you. 

To know God is the beginning of wisdom. Know God’s ways have always been perfect.

The guards at Buckingham Palace stand watch regardless of weather, crowds, or other distractions. They are a picture of the word steadfast. James said that God’s children are blessed when they remain steadfast in their faith.

Job’s faith wasn’t perfect, but it was steadfast. He endured loss, illness, grief, and abandonment, yet he remained faithful to his God. Job understood that God’s purpose is always accomplished in our lives. God’s character is compassionate and merciful, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

This life has trials, and so often our faith in God’s character can waver. Job was steadfast, and he was blessed because, regardless of his circumstances, he chose to trust God’s perfect character.

God is love. God is always compassionate and always merciful because his perfection makes him incapable of being less. We can be steadfast in our faith when we know God as Job knew him. God is perfect, even when our understanding of his ways is not. God is loving, even when our circumstances cause us pain. God is compassionate because he feels with us. God is merciful because he consistently loves us, even when we don’t feel love for him.

Consider the perfection of our loving God and your faith can be like Job’s. Remain steadfast regardless of the challenges and distractions of this world and, like Job, you will be blessed. Our faith will never be perfect, but thankfully our God is.

To know God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God is compassionate and merciful.

Have you ever been in a worship service when someone unexpected or important enters the room? It doesn’t take long for the buzz of the crowd to make everyone aware that a notable person is in their presence.

We know from Scripture that “where two or three are gathered” in the name of Jesus, he has promised to be among them (Matthew 18:20). One of the most important moments of worship is to recognize and acknowledge that the holy presence of Jesus is present, tangible in the room, when believers have gathered in his name.

God told the prophet Zephaniah that his holy presence would be in their midst. Why does the God of heaven, the mighty One who saves, choose to be present with us, his children? 

Zephaniah said:

“He will rejoice over us with gladness.” God enjoys being with his people.“He will quiet us by his love.” God wants us to feel the comfort and peace of his loving presence.“He will exult over us with loud singing.” God’s voice is filled with joy, and he wants us to hear him sing, speak, and exult over his children.

Imagine the Creator of the world loving us in such personal ways. We are beloved, enjoyed by our great God. If we don't understand God’s promise, we will miss the joy and blessings of his presence. We will worship unaware that he is there to hear our praise. We will be distracted and disconnected from worship if we don't realize the Lord of Lords has actually entered the room and wants us to hear his words.

The next time you gather with brothers and sisters in Christ, remember that Jesus is there with you. His presence is tangible, evident in the worship of those who return his love. Take a few moments to sense his pleasure, even now, at being in your midst. You are God’s beloved, and he loves blessing you with his holy presence.

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God is in your midst.

The Apostle Paul lived his life and ministry knowing he had been miraculously saved by Christ. Paul had daily memories of living as the Pharisee people called “Saul of Tarsus.” He had done terrible things in God’s name. Later, God did amazing things through a man who understood the transformational power of complete forgiveness. 

Saul of Tarsus was led by misguided passions that brought harm to God’s children. When he became the Apostle Paul, his redeemed life accomplished more than he could ever have imagined. 

Saul of Tarsus was an educated, devout Pharisee who knew a great deal about God. The Apostle Paul was a humble, redeemed man who actually knew God. He had met him on the road to Damascus. Paul loved God as one who had been saved by Jesus Christ.

He described Jesus, the God he knew, saying:

Jesus is the King of the ages. He rules the world yet has offered to rule our lives. Jesus is immortal. He rose from his grave, proving we can rise from our graves as well. Jesus is invisible. Jesus is love (1 John 4:8). Like love, he is invisible but real, tangible, and powerful. Jesus is the only God. He is God and there is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).Paul said that Jesus deserved to be honored and glorified forever and ever, amen. The word amen means “so be it.” When we think of Jesus today, we should think of Paul’s description. The Jesus Paul knew and met on the road to Damascus is the same Jesus we worship today. 

When Jesus saved your soul, you were born again. He has “raised you” to walk in a new life. The key is knowing Jesus as Paul knew him. He is our immortal, invisible King. End this day by offering your King, your Lord and Savior, your highest honor and praise. 

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that Jehovah God is the only God.

Jesus wanted us to know how much we were loved by the God we worship. God cares about his children. Jesus was probably pointing to the many birds that, even today, fly above the Sea of Galilee. They didn’t have to work all day to have enough; they simply needed to focus on what God had already provided.

Jesus pointed to the birds and reminded his disciples that God valued people more than the rest of his creation. Our priorities get confused when we don’t share God’s values and trust his provision. 

In a culture that defines “enough” as just a little more, it's good to take inventory of our values. Do we want to have more than God wants to provide? Do we spend too much time and money on things that distract us from God’s best gifts?

Jesus taught his disciples that God values people the most. God cares more about our peace, joy, comfort, and contentment than our stuff. Do we spend too much time working for things or accumulating things that don’t have eternal value?

God called his people to work hard but not to overwork. God called his people to plan for the future but defined our future eternally. God taught that the most important successes in life would be rewarded in heaven. Jesus said God values people more than anything.

Consider the birds of the air. They take time to soar above this world, knowing God has provided for their needs. Jesus reminded his disciples that God wanted us to do the same. If we examine our lives with a higher perspective, we will understand what God most wants his children to achieve. He values what blesses and benefits his people because God values his family!

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. God knows and values your life.

When making a tough decision, it’s important to find the choice that provides the peace of God. God’s peace is a strong indicator that his presence and favor are at work in your life. Most choices have more than one good answer so the key is knowing which answer is God’s.

God’s peace defies explanation or understanding because it's a gracious gift more than the result of circumstances. We have peace when we remain close to God, trusting him to care for his child. But there is a spiritual discipline that supports our trust.

The peace of God occurs when we keep our hearts and minds on God, our source of all good and perfect things. When we guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our choices become more like his than our own.

Jesus spoke his peace into the storm and the wind and waves calmed. Jesus speaks his peace into our lives and we are calmed, even in the midst of our storms. Sometimes the peace of God is one prayer away, and sometimes it's the result of a spiritual process. Regardless, his peace is a continuous result of practicing his presence and power in our lives. 

God’s peace is beyond understanding and a provision of God for even our most troubled times. Our worries are valid, but they need not control our sense of well-being. We gave Jesus that control when we asked him to be our Lord.

You can focus your heart and mind on Christ Jesus and the answers he wants to provide. His peace is the gift of his favor at work in your life as you walk in his priorities, trusting him to guide your steps. 

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God’s peace will perfectly sustain.

The Apostle John knew Jesus well and knew he was God incarnate. Jesus wasn’t born in a stable. A body of flesh was born that Jesus chose to inhabit. There is a reason John’s gospel names Jesus “the Word.” Anytime there is a capital “W,” it means Jesus.

Jesus existed at the beginning of time and “by him all things were created” (John 1:2–3). Jesus was with God when the world was created. Jesus is God incarnate, and Jesus is the Holy Spirit that came to indwell you when you made him your Lord. 

Countless commentary has been written about the Holy Trinity, yet God’s triune nature remains a mystery to our finite minds. How can God be one, yet three? The answer to that question is as infinite as God.

Understanding God isn’t necessary to accepting him. We don’t expect two-year-olds to solve complicated math equations, and the created shouldn’t expect to understand the Creator. 

God loved us so much that he stepped out of heaven and took the form of an infant. Christmas is our living example of God’s unsearchable grace and love. He humbled himself, choosing a human existence, so he could one day bear our sins. 

Jesus is today who Jesus was in the beginning. We bow our heads and usually picture Jesus as the earthly man described in the Gospels. He isn’t that man any longer. He is the Word, who was with God, who was God, and who still is God. Jesus is also the Holy Spirit, the power of God for the salvation of man. He is our counselor, comforter, our Savior, and our Lord. 

We don’t need to understand the Holy Trinity to know the three are one God. They existed in the beginning, and they will exist forever. And those who are saved will meet the Word, face-to-face. He will stand with us on the day of judgment. He will walk with us in heavenly places. His face is what we will see when we take our last breath on earth and our first breath of eternal air.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. All Christians will dwell with him one day. Take a moment and see the Word as he is today—glorified as he was in the beginning. That is the face of the one you will see when you enter heaven.

The Word was God, and he still is. Jesus is your Savior and your Lord. You don’t have to understand his triune greatness to worship him as God.

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Knowing Jesus is knowing God.

The word holy means “set apart.” Christians are supposed to stand out and be different from others because we have been given the presence of Christ in our lives through his Holy Spirit. We have been changed or “born again.”

We are called to be holy because the presence of Jesus in us makes us holy. Jesus taught us to be in the world, but not like the world. Paul said “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). We are going to think about things differently if we think about them like Christ. We are going to believe differently about some cultural issues because we believe God’s word has provided the right answers.

When God made us his children, he called us to be holy. God often told his people, “Be holy because I am holy.” But is it realistically possible to live a holy life in an unholy world? Should we develop a monastic lifestyle, avoiding any exposure to ungodly thinking? Do we just put our heads down and plow through our lives, trying not to see or hear what is being said around us? Do we vote quietly, or should we picket with loud voices? 

There are answers to those questions, but there is not “an” answer.

God called us to be holy and then gave us the Bible and his Spirit so we could be. Galatians 5:25 says, “Keep in step with the Spirit.” The phrase “keep in step” is a picture word that can mean soldiers marching in perfect unison or two dancers moving around the dance floor with coordinated grace. The point is this: We have each been given God’s Holy Spirit, and he will call out our individual marching orders, or lead our dance. Each of us will be led to live a little differently than someone else. 

But it is important to remember that the Spirit will never lead us in a way that contradicts Scripture.

If we want to be holy, we need to move through our lives in step with God’s Spirit and in tune to the marching orders we find in Scripture.

Did you live a holy life today? It depends on who led your dance or whose commands you marched to. We know this: We are called and equipped by God’s Spirit to be holy. Tomorrow the music will play and the army will march. Whom will you follow? 

He called us to be holy, and now it's up to us to follow his lead. The joy is that a holy life is a great dance. It's a march that ends with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God is holy and we are too—when we choose to follow his lead.

We lost some of the potency of Timothy’s verse when we began to consume God’s word from electronic devices. I’m grateful for the ease that technology has provided because the internet helps us find a verse quickly and provides good study helps as well. That said, there is still something powerful about holding a leatherbound Bible, the entire word of God, in our hands.

All Scripture, every word of it from Genesis through the Revelation, was “breathed out,” authored by God himself. The Holy Spirit enabled imperfect people to speak and record a perfect document that has remained profitable for God’s people throughout human history. The Bible doesn’t tell us everything we want to know, but it tells us everything we need to know in order to find favor with God and favor with man.

Scripture is a God-created manual for training people to be righteous, meaning right with God. God wanted us to know exactly what we needed to know in order to ensure our eternity with him in heaven. The more you know and live God’s word, the more righteous your life can become.

Christians should want to live a life God is able to bless. God wanted you to know how to live that life so he “breathed out” his thoughts through his Holy Spirit. We can read the very thoughts of God every time we open his word.

We call the Bible God’s word, but do we listen to him speak the verses? 

The best way to learn to recognize God’s voice is to hear him “breathe out” his thoughts in Scripture. If God said it before, he would say it again. If it was perfect truth for King David, Peter, and Paul, it remains perfect truth for God’s people today. 

Scripture is profitable for those who will accept it as truth, discipline, correction, and encouragement. The Bible contains the right answers for anyone who wants to be right with God.

But there is a warning in the first word of 2 Timothy 3:16. That word is all. God breathed out his perfect words. God never called anyone to be his editor. In fact, the book of Revelation warns against adding to or taking away from God’s word (Revelation 22:18–19). That passage warns of the consequences to those who do. 

The Bible is a holy word provided by our holy God. Let’s be wholly faithful to use it and teach it as it has been taught and preached for centuries. If it was profitable truth for Paul, it's equally profitable for us today. Let’s live as his words teach.

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that every word of Scripture is proven, profitable truth.