What Do We Fear?     

   We have a list of 80 American fears, everything from A to Z ... that would be air pollution to zombies. But one fear we should have is not listed. 

   King Solomon's wisdom in Proverbs truthfully is God's wisdom. Proverbs nails it: practical issues of life probably more true true today than 3,000 years ago.

   My sister and her late husband read a chapter of Proverbs with one or more of their four children every day. 

   Consider daily bad news. How much could be avoided by a healthy fear of the Lord on our part and those who impact our lives? 

   Solomon, the world's greatest king in his day, had a reverent awe of God. Centuries later, believers (in Acts chapter 9) were "living in the fear of the Lord," and therefore "were encouraged by the Holy Spirit." 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

v. 1:7

To fear the Lord is to hate evil. 

The fear of God causes us to avoid evil 

and to hate sin that He hates, which destroys us.

v. 8:13

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

v. 9:10

The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

v. 10:27

Tomorrow: More of the Lord's wisdom