Reflections with Andy - The Fear of the Lord - Proverbs 1
In this new year, we will look daily at a chapter in Proverbs. There is much we can gain from this great book of wisdom. Today, we see that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge or wisdom. We talk today about what it means to fear the Lord. It is not what we may think that it is. We see when we understand what this means how very important this is. This truth really is the beginning of all knowledge and wisdom. When we approach life with that proper fear or reverence, we see how big God is and how small we are. And yet, how loved we are. Then we can learn. Then, we can acquire wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.
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Happy New Year! I hope you have had a wonderful start to your new year as we embark on this journey together. It's always exciting to begin a new year, and I trust that 2024 will be a fantastic, peaceful, and fulfilling year for all of us. Thank you for joining us, and I hope that for some of you, choosing to start the new year by consistently reading the Bible becomes a rewarding habit. I envision Rooted in Christ becoming a meaningful experience for you as you read the Bible daily and consistently.
Whether you are a long-time participant or a first-time viewer, I hope you find blessings in our time together. As I contemplated how to kick off this new year, I considered our previous focus on Advent passages and the Christmas accounts in the Gospels. Given that we concluded last year with a comprehensive study of Acts, I decided it was time to delve into the Old Testament, specifically exploring some of the minor prophets like Hosea and possibly Haggai later on. However, to ease into this, I thought, "Why not begin with a book that offers wisdom?" This led me to the Book of Proverbs.
Throughout January, with its 31 days, we will journey through Proverbs together. Please note that our reviews won't extend to the weekends. On Fridays, we'll collectively explore three chapters, focusing on key verses rather than delving into each one individually. While I will provide a link to each chapter, I encourage you to read it for yourself, allowing God's words to speak directly to you.
Reflecting on the wisdom of one of my esteemed mentors, Dr. Frank Pollard, I remembered his advice to read one proverb and three psalms daily for a balanced life. Since January has 31 days, mirroring the number of proverbs, we will immerse ourselves in this wisdom literature throughout the month. While Dr. Pollard recommended a broader approach, we will narrow our focus to Proverbs for this season.
Let's begin our exploration with Proverbs 1. Although not all proverbs are attributed to Solomon, many are, making this book a rich source of wisdom. I'd like to highlight a couple of verses that stood out to me during my reading. In verse 7, we encounter a familiar truth: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." It's crucial to understand that "fear" in this context implies deep respect and reverence rather than being afraid. This reverence allows us to grasp God's vastness, leading to a proper perspective on our own insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. True wisdom flows from this recognition.
Another noteworthy verse is Proverbs 1:23, urging us to "give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you." This emphasizes the importance of humility and the willingness to accept correction. Wisdom blossoms when we acknowledge our limited understanding, seek guidance from wiser individuals, and remain open to continuous learning.
I look forward to exploring more of Proverbs with you. Tomorrow, we'll continue with Proverbs chapter 2. Thank you for being part of this journey. Have a fantastic day!