* The Beginning of Wisdom

Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the deeds of the Lord!

They are studied by all who delight in them.
His work is full of majesty and splendor,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He makes his marvelous works to be remembered;

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He gives food to those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.

He has shown his people the power of his works
in giving them the lands of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice;
all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast forever and ever,
because they are done in truth and equity.

He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who act
accordingly have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever. --Psalm 111

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”--Psalm 111:10
Standing in awe of God puts us in a position where we can begin to see and understand things in their proper perspective. To stand in awe of God - this is what the Bible means by the fear of the Lord. It’s not about being afraid of God.

When we are afraid of something, we want to get away from it; we don’t want to have anything to do with it. But when we stand in awe of something we are drawn to it; we long to experience it more fully. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Standing in awe of God puts us in a position where we can begin to see and understand things in their proper perspective.

Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing; let there be moments when Your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk.

Help us to see, wherever we gaze, that the bush burns unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness, and exclaim in wonder:

How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it! Blessed is the Eternal One, the Holy God!

Amen