Scripture: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7)
Observation: King Solomon is the main author of the book of Proverbs, and he writes his sayings, along with the other authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 1 begins with a personification of wisdom and the need for it in our lives.
Application: As a nursing student learning about medicine and the human body, I took classes taught by those who knew the content material well, so I could gain as much knowledge as possible in patient care. As a Christian seeking to know God and His ways, I must again seek out the One who has the authority to best teach it – God Himself! To learn of God, I must begin with a deep reverential understanding of who He is, and that happens through a relationship with Him. That relationship begins at the cross of Christ. Accepting Jesus’s forgiveness of my sins and choosing Him to be my Lord and Saviour is the first step in my quest for godly knowledge. Why? Because at the moment of my salvation, God’s Holy Spirit comes to dwell within me and begins to teach me godly precepts through His Word.
Learning anything new takes time, and learning about God is no exception. It is a lifelong quest for godly knowledge. Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” As a new Christian, the Spirit of God begins to teach immediately through the truth of God’s Word, continuing this process until God takes me home to heaven. I am truly a “work in progress”.
Fortunately, the Spirit teaches me wisely… in small increments… bite-sized pieces of Scripture that I can comprehend, apply to my life, and cause my faith to grow. As my faith is cultivated, my ability to understand deeper things of the Bible are revealed to me. Sometimes, the process of gaining a particular understanding of a biblical concept takes years due to my level of faith, but God is faithful and promises to continue the work in me. A deep respect for God is the beginning of wisdom because it drives me to worship Him for who He is, regardless of circumstances or feelings. To “fear the Lord” is to honor Him, respect Him, and acknowledge Him as the author of all wisdom and the best teacher I could have. God is the foundation to ALL knowledge as Colossians 2:3 states, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” If I desire wisdom and knowledge, I simply need to sit down, pray for guidance, open my Bible, read it, and listen as the greatest Teacher speaks to my heart.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word and the wisdom it contains. Help me to desire Your wisdom and seek it by spending quality time with You every day. Give me understanding as You speak to my heart, and empower me to apply Your precepts to my life. Thank You for Your promise – that You will continue the work You began in me when You saved me. In Your precious name and with thanksgiving, I pray. Amen.
O boundless Wisdom, God most high, O Maker of the earth and sky, Who bid’st the parted waters flow in Heaven above, on earth below. O Father, that we ask be done, through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son; Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, doth live and reign eternally. (from "O Boundless Wisom, God Most High" - author unknown) ********** “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” - Colossians 4:5