Monday, 18 May 2020 Proverbs 15:1-33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Proverbs 15:33
Each of these words in our key verse is a step by step process of laying the very base of Christian Faith. Each of them is co-related; linked one to another.
Fear of the LORD
Wisdom
Humility
FEAR OF THE LORD
We often follow several rules in our daily lives. Most of us follow the rules for fear of punishment. Keeping the speed limit on roads, wearing seat belts while driving, obeying rules laid by the government are a few examples. But our Lord does not expect such an approach towards HIM- in the matter of FEAR. Fear of the Lord is explained in the Amplified Bible as follows “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord.” It is not the kind of fear we know about— like a phobia or fear of punishment; but it is an obedient fear, the fear that comes from Love. 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Because God’s Love has entered our hearts, fear has been cast away; and now we obey Him through Love! Jesus tells His disciples in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
WISDOM
Psalms 111:11 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” In 1 Corinthians chapter 1:18-25 to chapter 2:1-7 Apostle Paul describes the wisdom from the Lord and worldly wisdom. 1Cor.1:30 says: “…in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness…” In having Christ in our lives, we have God’s wisdom through Him!
Now, where are we? Are we running behind worldly wisdom, or seeking the wisdom from Heaven? Those who are faithfully seeking...to them the Lord says, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” If you get the wisdom from Lord always remember not to be proud (Isaiah 47:10: Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.) Jer. 9: 23: This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom..“
HUMILITY
Our generation almost forgets about the need for humility, not giving respect to each other. Men shall be lovers of their own selves (2Timothy 3:2), because it’s the last days (2 Tim.3:1). Most of our community is building their lives in self- centred love, therefore the value of humility has drastically dropped. What is humility? C.S. Lewis writes: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." Humility is just the opposite of Pride.
True Humility, we can see in our Lord Jesus Christ’s life, Isaiah 53:7[GNT]: "He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word.“ In Philippians 2:5-11, we get to see Jesus the epitome of humility! He humbled himself and so God exalted Him to the highest place! Let us meditate on Christ’s humility as an example set before us.
Think on: The Fear of God leads to wisdom but wisdom unchecked may turn to pride; to resist pride we must be humble and the humble shall surely receive Honour.