The Fear that Ends All Fear

The book of Proverbs opens with this verse: "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:"

Solomon would have read the words of his own father including this verse from the Book of Psalms, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever." Psalms 111:10

The "fear of the Lord" is an important truth that runs through the Book of Proverbs and is a truth we need to hear and take to heart! It is so easy for our lives to be filled with things that, while perhaps even good, push God to a second place in our hearts and minds, thus elevating "stuff" to "idol."

The fear of the Lord...
...is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7
...is hated by those who hate knowledge! Proverbs 1:29
...leads to a discovery of the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5

...turns us away from evil. Proverbs 3:7
...is to hate evil. Proverbs 8:13

...is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10

...prolongs life. Proverbs 10:27
...characterizes he who walks in uprightness. Proverbs 14:2
...is strong confidence...and is a fountain of life. Proverbs 14:26-27

...better than great treasure. Proverbs 15:16
...is the instruction for wisdom. Proverbs 15:33

...keeps one away from evil. Proverbs 16:6
...leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. Proverbs 19:23

Proverbs 22:4 "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life."

So what is the fear of the Lord? What does it look like in 2010? Tom gave us this description...

A reverence and a knowledge that removes the sense of terror and replaces it with an intimacy of relationship that worships and responds in obedience on the basis of trust and confidence in Him. All other loves, great as they may be, are but secondary passions when compared to the desire to be pleasing to Him.

"An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and your imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give...An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, 'If I have that, then I'll feel my life has meaning, then I'll know I have value, then I'll feel significant and secure.'" --Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

Let's let scripture summarize!

"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." Ecclesiastes 12:13