The Beginning of Wisdom

Sometimes I think people in the church are far too casual with God. They have a relationship with God, but they’ve forgotten the holiness of God. They say Jesus is their “homeboy,” but their so-called homeboy created the universe. Let’s show some respect. This is God Almighty we’re talking about. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV). Holy is His name. Reverenced is His name.

Psalm 111:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (NKJV). Fearing God means that we have reverence for Him. I like this definition of it: “a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.” It isn’t so much a fear of retribution; it’s a dread of displeasing Him. It’s a dread of dishonoring Him or disappointing Him.

Years ago I became friends with Dr. Alan Redpath, a wonderful British gentleman who is now in Heaven. He wrote some fantastic books, and I was always in awe of him. When I was around him, I was always on my best behavior and never pulled my usual pranks. But one night we were sitting in a restaurant, and I felt something hit my chest. I looked down, and it was a fork. Dr. Alan Redpath had tossed a fork at me. He smiled and said, “I thought it was disposable.”

I thought, “What? He’s a comedian now!” I never lost my respect for him.

Hebrews 11:7 tells us that “by faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became the heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (NKJV).

Noah moved with reverence and godly fear. We should never lose our reverence for God.