October 3
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10
When I was growing up, my dad would tell my brother and me to do something or warn us not to do something. If we listened carefully and followed his instruction, life was good. If we didn’t—let’s just say it didn’t go well. One choice was wise, the other choice was foolish.
The writer of this psalm and the writer of Proverbs 1:7 agree: the foundation of genuine wisdom is fearing God and following His instructions and commands. Remember, fear doesn’t always mean scared; it depends on context. In this context, it is a reverence and awe for the holiness of God. Reverence prompts us to take seriously His will and word.
Throughout the Bible we are admonished to be students of God’s word: “Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15; CSB). If we claim to be a follower of Jesus but do not take His instructions seriously, it is a grave mistake. In fact, it’s extremely foolish.
God’s word is “a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Why wouldn’t I spend ample amounts of time to study it and know it? To do so gives great wisdom; to treat it with disrespect by ignoring it is profound foolishness.
Wisdom is being able to discern the end result of a present action or circumstance; the ability to judge what is true, right, and lasting. If you want to know how to respond or handle what’s going on in your life, dive into the Bible. If you want to know how to live successfully and experience an abundance of joy, peace, and purpose, jump into the Scripture: “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3).
If you want to get a firm grasp on God’s word, hold up your hand and assign one of these five activities to each digit: hear, read, study, meditate, and memorize. Becoming a student of the word will be absolutely life-changing—and wise! My Pathways book can help you become a student. You can order it at www.nextlevelleadership.org
God, thank You for Your word. By Your grace, I pledge to become a student of it. I know that in Your word is the answer to all life’s challenges. Thank You for it. Amen