This morning I am reading in Proverbs 19 and have found some of the features of a “good life” as noted in the commentary of my ESV Bible. 1) listen to instruction 2) be kind to the poor 3) be involved in your children’s lives and discipline them 4) avoid friendships with those who lack self-control 5) acknowledge the rule of God 6) understand that love and integrity are what bring real happiness 7) fear the LORD. Where as these are not an exhaustive list, they are some of the essential elements of what it takes to lead a “good life”.

“²³The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” – Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)

As I review this list, I can only look back at my life so far to see how I stand up to it and have I been actively engaged in living the “good life”. Whereas I still have a long way to go and do not feel as though I have fully glorified God to my potential, I am at least headed down the right path. Each of the features listed above have influenced my life. I have done well in some and have areas to continue growing in others, as most of us do. My take is to do just that, continue growing each day and know that fear of the LORD is essential to that growth.

I have to be careful in my expectations and not equate a “perfect life” with a “good life”. It is easy for one to think that just because we are living according to the list of features will have no difficulty at all, and verse 23 I have quoted even states it as so. But, that is not the case. We are still subject to difficulty in the world. As stated in the commentary of my NIV Bible;

“evil things still happen to people who love God. This verse is not a universal promise, but a general guideline. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen in the new earth, when faithful believers will be under God’s protection forever”.

The “good life” begins with fear of the LORD. Our respect and adoration of Him draw us to Him and the protection He provides. That fear brings wisdom and the desire to do His will and when we are actively engaged in His will for our lives, the “good life” is realized for us.

Where are you looking to find the “good life”? Are you seeking to follow God in the turns of your life? What if you allowed the fear of the LORD to drive your obedience to Him and the “good life”?

“³³The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

Everything starts from somewhere for us here in this world, it really goes without saying. I have written about wisdom coming from fear of the LORD and you can see that is again reiterated in the verse above. But there is more in the passage than just the one verse and when looking at the whole of the passage, I have gained even more understanding.

“³¹The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. ³²Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” – Proverbs 15:31-32 (ESV)

It is in the listening to reproof that I am able to continue growing in wisdom. And, to listen, I must be in a state of humility so that my heart and mind are framed rightly to hear the instruction coming from the LORD. How do I get to that place of humility, but by tapping into the fear of the LORD that drives my actions in this world.

I have a great opportunity to be filled with honor for my work done here in this world. I will be rewarded greatly. But, what is the work I am doing. What work is it that I will bring me honor? It is the work of the LORD. And to understand that work and all that comes with it, I must be in tune with God. How do I get there? Study His word and listen intently to His call.

My humility in the presence of God is where I learn from Him. I gain by listening and not by doing. My humility comes from my fear of the LORD. And what comes after my humility but more listening and following. And when I follow, I gain honor for the work I do for the LORD.

Where is it that you are looking for honor? Are you hoping to get it from those around you? What if you started with fear of the LORD and then humility to listen, what could come next?

“Practical wisdom for living is the central concern of the book of Proverbs.” is the first line in the introduction to Proverbs in my ESV Bible, and that is such a truth. As I have noted from my study of the word “fear”, the beginning of knowledge is in the fear of the LORD, and as I read today, so does long life.

“²⁷The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.” – Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)

That fear or respect and adoration of the LORD is what gives us the length of life we so long for. By leading a life of and for the LORD, we are blessed with satisfaction and completeness that passes by those that are not leading a fulfilling life walking with the LORD. When we are in tune with the commandments and teaching of God, we are able to enjoy the things that come and not focus on what is missing, and that discipline, which could be described as fear or respect for the rules, leads to a longer more fulfilling life.

“¹My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, ²for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” – Proverbs 3:1-2 (ESV)

I recently had a really great day in the classroom as an instructor for the company I work. That day was riddled with ambiguity as the resources we need to do the work was not made available and we as a group found ourselves maneuvering around the content to keep the trainees engaged and learning amid the disorganization that was presented. That morning I prayed that God would give me the wisdom and direction to make the right choices to be sure that I was honoring Him at every turn. And so He did. Amid all of the confusion, God gave me the wisdom to structure the content in such a way that as the day came to a close we were presented with a simpler solution to completing training and as it turns out, we did not train on things that we did not have and our next day was set up for a continuous learning event as opposed to a catch-up or re-learning event.

I suppose that the story above may not strike you as a prolong of life for fear of the LORD, but here you are. That evening, I ended the day with renewed energy and had a great dinner and exciting time with my family, and where other days I end tired and exhausted, my life seemed to take a turn for the better as a result of working hard to honor God. Due to my respect for Him, my life was extended as a result.

Having a fear and respect for God is paramount in our lives to keep us going and give us purpose. With each day I choose to once again renew my fear and respect in the LORD and work for the discipline to keep His commandments and prolong my life.

What is it that gives you life? Are you focused on yesterday and tomorrow, or are you living today in honor, fear, and respect of the LORD? What if you were to have that fear of the LORD to prolong your life?

“¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” – Psalm 111:10 (ESV)

As I have been studying, fear is a healthy respect and adoration for Him. That being so, this verse makes a great deal of sense to me. In order to get wisdom, it all begins with having respect and adoration for the topic at hand. It is important to respect and adore the topic to take it seriously enough to gain something out of it.

I hold that the smartest people do not know everything, but they do know where to find the answers to questions asked. Those same people have a great deal of wisdom as they have a respect and adoration for the topics that are of vital importance in their lives, and when questioned on them, they have the knowledge to respond with confidence and accuracy. When the topic is not something that is of vital importance, they have enough respect and adoration for the topic that they will not just give an answer without researching and determining the correct response.

King Solomon was one of those that was one of the smartest people. He was so smart that when he had the opportunity to ask God for anything and it would be given to him, he asked for wisdom.

“⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV)

When I read those verses, I see the fear of the LORD from Solomon. He already had great wisdom and still asked for it from God. And in Proverbs, Solomon reiterates the beginning of wisdom again.

“⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

I am so encouraged by these words and only strive to be wiser today than I was yesterday and tomorrow more than today. That for me as with Solomon and others is to have a fear of the LORD so that I can begin to have the wisdom. I should continue to respect and adore the LORD at each turn to bring glory to Him and maybe, just maybe, He will grant me continued wisdom.

Where are you looking for wisdom? Are you seeking in books or from others to learn information or are you looking to “know” those important things and have the ability to seek for and understand all others when they are inquired about? What if you had a healthy respect and adoration for the LORD, and sought only wisdom from Him?

In short, NO ONE!

“¹The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ¹⁰For my father and my mother have forsaken me but the LORD will take me in.” – Psalm 27:1 & 10 (ESV)

David speaks of those that surround him as they work to overthrow him. I cannot speak for you, but I would be very anxious if I were surrounded constantly with those that were looking to do me harm. Yet, David is confidently calm and secure. He is not concerned with those that are around him. He knows that he is protected by God. There is no reason to fear anyone or anything with God in his corner.

Through the difficulty that David faces daily, he remains devoted to God. He is more concerned with pleasing God that thwarting his enemies. One might say that is due to his superior forces and battle intellect, but if we were to ask him, he would say that it is God that gives him that confidence and resolve. He spends time pleading with God in verses 7-9 of Psalm 27 to be sure that God is with him.

“⁷Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! ⁸You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My hear says to you, ‘You face, LORD, do I seek.’ ⁹Hide not you face from me. Turn no your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me now, O God of my salvation!” – Psalm 27:7-9 (ESV)

Whatever is going on in the life of David, he does not forget God, his protector and provider. David is fully devoted to God and only God. I have to take the same approach. Whatever is going on in my life whether, personal, professional, emotional, physical, or spiritual it is up to me to turn to God in all situations and devote myself to Him and the tasks He has for me. When doing so there is no room for fear of that which is around me and I will be able to proceed with confident calmness.

So, “Whom shall I fear”, NO ONE!

When you are out there in the world, are you proceeding with fear? What or who is it that is warranting that fear? What if you were to devote yourself to God and plead with Him to be with you, whom shall you fear then?

As I study the word “fear”, I have been on the reverence and adoration of God until this morning. The passage this morning is one that is pretty familiar, Psalm 23. And the verse is 4.

“⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

The world out there is not exactly on our side as followers of Christ. We do things differently, approach things from a different perspective, and carry ourselves in a way that does not really make sense to the rest of the world.

The lack of understanding causes the world to act differently toward us. You see, where there is a lack of understanding it is filled with fear and a tendency to go on the attack to be sure that the attack does not come. Since we do not make sense to the world, they attack out of fear that they will be attacked.

But, we do not attack. We love. We protect ourselves, yes, but defensively as opposed to offensively. We know the way of the world and therefore we should not fear the world. There is no evil that can truly harm us as Christians. We have an ultimate protector in God.

Our fear should be in God, but as mentioned in my writings as I have studied the word, it should be a fear of reverence and adoration as opposed to a fear of destruction and death. I do not fear the world, I fear God. I go into the world with confidence that God is leading me where He would have me go.

What is your understanding of the world? Are you afraid due to a lack of understanding? What if you were to place your faith in God and fear only Him with reference and adoration?

I have often looked for that thing that leaves little to the imagination. I am someone that depends on data and tangible to move forward, and that is one of the reasons that I spend time reading and studying God’s Word. I am looking for the tangible to explain what is happening, happened, is going to happen. As I say that, I also have to admit my reliance on God for all and it is His way that leads me, thanks to the study of His Word.

This morning I was led to Psalm 19 where I was reminded of the simplicity that is found in the Word of God.

“⁷The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” – Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV)

These words of David ring true for me. I am reminded of just how relying on the LORD is good for me. He provides simple instruction that really does not take a lot to grasp the concept. I have to remember to take Him at His word.

I don’t want this to be confused and though that following God in action is simple, pure, and clean, because that could not be further from the truth. This world makes it difficult to continually act according to God’s plan, but, the words are simple enough to understand at the onset and only with continued study are we able to further simplify the actions of following the Word of God daily.

Are you making the words more difficult to understand than they actually are? What are the actions that you are taking that you could simplify by following the Word of the LORD? What if you took the approach of simplicity, purity, and cleanliness with the Word of God?

“¹¹Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. ¹²Kiss The Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” – Psalm 2:11-12 (ESV)

I read and study this morning in Psalms. I have been studying the word “fear” and this morning I was led to this passage where I am reminded that serving and rejoicing should be done with fear and trembling.

Now the fear and trembling are not that of being scared and frightful, but with reverence and awe. As I work to do the work of the LORD, I have to remember to be in reverence and awe. I have to be guided by Him and take the work seriously knowing that He is in the lead fully.

“²⁸Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, ²⁹for out God is a consuming fire.” – Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)

Now there it is, in verse 29. God is a consuming fire and will destroy all that is not of or for Him. I must remain with and of Him to avoid that consumption. I have a duty to offer worship to Him “with reverence and awe”. I have to have fear and trembling in all my work that I am doing for Him. The work is of great importance and it is up to me to understand that importance and again remember to take the work seriously.

I will have fear and trembling when doing the work of the LORD. I will serve and rejoice in the work. All is for Him and as such is important to take seriously.

What work are you doing? Are you doing the work with fear and trembling, reverence and awe? What if you were to take the work seriously, serving and rejoicing with fear and trembling?

I am called to serve the LORD. I have been given the choice to serve Him or the other “gods” here in the world and I choose to serve Him.

“¹⁴Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV)

You see here Joshua spelling out the choice as given to the people, and his declaration at the end of verse 15 to “serve the LORD”. “For me and my house, we will serve the LORD” as well and we are not shy about it. My house is filled with God and the love He has for us is certainly here. I know that all is not perfect and frankly, that is not what God promises at all. He promises to provide our needs, and that is what we have here in our home. And for that we give back to Him and serve Him.

I have to remember the fear part of the equation as well.

“¹⁹But Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. ²⁰If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.’” – Joshua 24:19-20 (ESV)

God does not forget the promises that we make to Him. When we commit to Him, we commit fully to Him, and we are held accountable to staying with Him. Will we falter, yes. Will we make mistakes, yes. Will we wander off the path He has for us, yes. But God knows our heart and He allows us to live life and make choices. It is the will turn from Him that we must avoid. That will turn is where God draws the line.

I have not willfully turned from Him. I have faltered, made mistakes, and wandered off the path. I will continue to do so. But, I have made the conscious choice to state out loud that I will serve the Lord.

When you are out there in the world, who are you choosing to commit to? Are you taking the way of the world and running with it? What if you feared and committed to serving the LORD?

I look at the world today and see all of the fear that is a part of and that is being spread. We have fear of people, regimes, ideals, and health concerns, but where is the fear of the LORD.

“¹²Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, ¹³and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” – Deuteronomy 31:12-13 (ESV)

As I read this morning, I am reminded that we have been tasked with spreading the fear of the LORD. We are to be making sure that the LORD is known and that others will understand all that He is and all that He provides. We are to make sure that everyone we are in contact with understands Him and all that He is.

I want to be careful and not paint the picture of running from God in fear, but to paint one of understanding, respect, and adoration. We should be running to the LORD as a human child runs to their human parent for protections and care, even in the event of fear themselves. This running to demonstrates the love and adoration had for the parent and that same action demonstrates the love and adoration we have for God.

I am fearful for the world that does not know the LORD. I am fearful for those that are seeking understanding in the world. It all starts with having the one that we know will protect us, love us, guide us, provide the discipline for us, and drives us to complete the tasks given to us, the LORD our God. God is our parent and the one that we run to and bow down.

As the children of God, we are to spread the fear of the LORD that we have to be sure that others have the opportunity to believe and carry that same fear with them. I have a duty to first start in my own home and then take it out and be sure that those in my circle know and understand. And then spread out to those outside my circle. And then as much globally I can. The fear of the LORD our God is for everyone and not just those I know.

I have this study that began as something for me and has manifest to what it is today. I post each weekday morning and I know there are those close to me that are reading and those that are global that are reading. Know that I love each of you and this is my way of spreading the fear of the LORD our God to each of you.

Where is your fear as you go through this world? Are you fearful of that which the world tells you to be fearful? What if you focused your fear to and of the LORD our God?