Proverbs 9:10: Start at the Very Beginning

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

Fear: reverence, piety

Beginning: first principle of; starting place

Wisdom:  ethical and religious; to know

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom, including obedience

Holy One: divine name

Understand: perceive, give heed to, distinguish, consider with attention

I enjoy Musicals, and one of my favorites is "Sound of Music." When 

Fräulein Maria teaches the von Trapp children to sing, she "starts at the very beginning." 

Let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start

When you read you begin with A-B-C

When you sing you begin with do-re-mi

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/s/thesoundofmusiclyrics/do-re-milyrics.html

When seeking wisdom, one too must start at the very beginning—and that is fearing God. Why is that beginning of wisdom? 

I used a new kitchen appliance last night—a pie maker. A few days ago, I read the recipes so that I could buy what I needed. When I started making the pies last night, I carefully read the instructions as I assembled the pies. I set the timer and waited. When I opened the lid, I was a bit surprised that the edges of the pies were quite well done. 

I checked the instruction booklet, and found it recommend that I use a different pie crust for the top than the bottom. However, that instruction was listed AFTER the instructions on how to cook the pies. If they had included that bit of information AT THE BEGINNING, it would have been very helpful! The pies were still edible, just the edges were a bit crunchy. 

Start at the beginning. If you really want to learn something new, starting at the very beginning is vital in gathering all the information necessary. Missing a key step can change the outcome. 

Back to our question, "Why is fearing God the beginning of wisdom?" Because He is the source of wisdom. He is the omnipotent, all-knowing One. As the source of wisdom: He is the One who understands the past, present, and future. He is the One who created everything, so He understand it all. He is the One who designed the World and all that is in it.

What better place to seek answers and knowledge than from the One who created us and the World in which we live. 

Start at the very beginning. Wisdom is available. Yet, we can't go it on our own. We need the guidance and understanding that only God can provide. Wisdom is attainable, if we go to the source. Fearing God begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when my heart and mindset is focused on fearing and honoring God, then I'll want to listen and obey His wisdom. 

Start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!

Proverbs 8:10, 11: Focus and Desire

Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. Proverbs 8:10, 11

Receive: take, seize

Instruction: discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

Not: a command

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Choice: absolute chosen; to be chosen

Wisdom: ethical and religious; it is of inestimable worth

Desire: longing

Compared: comparable, suitable, equal

We are obsessed with money. Don't believe it? Then take a look at how much is spent on lotteries. We all would love to see that BIG Million Dollar check arrive at our front door. We all dream of having more money and all the things we'd do if we had it. 

But greater value than any amount of money or jewels or gold is Wisdom. Yet, we don't often put forth the effort into seizing wisdom as we do money. And that leads to the question, "Why not?" 

Why don't we value wisdom? Why don't we need to importance and need for wisdom? Why, when it is available, don't we seize wisdom? Why? 

It begins with our focus and desire. When something is important to us, we make the effort to get it. Soon people will start camping outside of stores to be among the first to get that one particular toy or electronic device. Many will hit the stores at Midnight just to get those things they want. No matter how tired they are, or the weather, or how crowed the stores are—nothing will prevent them from their desire. They will seize the opportunity to seize that item. 

Focus and desire—for things is strong and will motivate us to make any sacrifice necessary to seize what we want. Where exactly is the focus and desire for wisdom? From my observation, it is clearly lacking in our society as a whole. 

Focus and desire begins in the heart. And a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will have a strong focus and desire to seize wisdom! 

Do you have a strong focus and desire for wisdom?

Incomprehensible

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 4. Here is what I learned.

Tremble and do not sin. Think about this on your bed and remain quiet. Selah Psalm 4:4 (GW)

Tremble with fear and stop sinning; think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds. Psalm 4:4 (GNT)

Be angry [or stand in awe] and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 4:4 (AMP)

Tremble: be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fret, provoke, quake, rage, shake, trouble, be wroth.

Not: nay, neither, never, no, nor, not, nothing, rather than.

Sin: always against God, absolute; to miss, trespass.

Think: meditate, commune, consider, declare, desire.

Heart: inner man, mind, will, understanding.

Be still: be silent, cease, hold peace, quiet self.

Bed: place of lying, couch; act of lying, reclining. 

Selah: pause.

Why is it when something happens we immediate get angry and blame God? Perhaps if we had a right perspective on what God is doing, or better yet had a proper understanding of Who God is, our reaction would not be that of blaming God or going against God. 

In our finite minds who are we to think we can fully understand God and what His plan is? We are not that mighty or smart! When we don’t understand God’s actions or what we may deem as lack of action, it’s time to step back and pause. Take time to meditate and consider Who God is. It’s time to be silent. Time to be still and stop trying to figure out what God is doing. God doesn’t need our approval for His actions. 

“Stand in awe, and sin not.” If ye be angry, and if ye think ye have cause to be angry; do not let your disaffection carry you to acts of rebellion against both God and your king. Consider the subject deeply before you attempt to act. Do nothing rashly; do not justify one evil act by another: sleep on the business; converse with your open heart upon your bed; consult your pillow. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

It’s time to have a healthy fear of God. Time to consider that God has a specific purpose and plan that is far greater than we can comprehend. In stead of blaming God, it’s time to spend time getting to know God, and trust Him. 

To create a positive day, I don’t need to understand what God is doing, rather I need to trust God and allow Him to work... even if it is incomprehensible to me.  

F = W = GU = D = PxEE

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 111. Here is what I learned.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows God’s guiding principles. His praise continues forever. Psalm 111:10 (GW)

Fear: reverence, inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe, put in fearful reverence.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Beginning: chiefest, the first, in place, time, order or rank, forefront.

Wisdom: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

Good: to be pleasing, be (do) better, beautiful, best, better.

Understanding: prudence, insight, good sense, discretion, knowledge, wisdom, wise.

Have all (is shown): to complete -- (make) perfect, in all manner.

Do (follow): accomplish, exercise, commit, observe, be occupied, yield,

Praise: adoration, thanksgiving.

Endures (continues): abide, dwell, establish,  be employed, remain.

Forever: perpetuity, eternity, everlasting, old, perpetually.

F = W = GU = D = PxEE

There are several parts to this equation: 

F: Fear. This an action required of me. I am to be in awe and put in fear of God Almighty.

W: Wisdom. Fear of God equals wisdom, to be wise.

GU: Good Understanding. The best insight wisdom (based upon the fear of God).

D: Doing. The wisdom and understanding produces action.

PxEE: Praise Endures Eternity: The action produced by the wisdom and understanding is praise, adoration which endures for all eternity. 

Action ultimately produces eternal action! My responsibility is to FEAR God Almighty. That fear of God will result in wisdom and understanding of His will and since I fear God, I’ll want to DO His will and thus will worship Him with my praise and adoration for all eternity. 

Actions speak louder than words. I can say that I fear God. But if I’m not living my life in accordance to God’s Word, am I really fearing God Almighty? If my actions aren’t reflecting my fear of God, than I need to stop and go back to the beginning—fearing God. That begins with knowing Who God is. When I realize Who God is, that should produce a fear of God. For although God is love, He is also holy, just, supreme, righteous, merciful, all-powerful, all-knowing, absolute truth, and faithful... and the list continues.

Fearing God is the first step to wisdom and understanding, and that first step leads to doing God’s will, and that leads to praising God. The equation to creating a positive day is: F = W = GU = D = PxEE!