Fear

 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10 ESV

People tend to assume that fear is always a negative thing. It isn't necessarily so. Fear of fire for example is a good thing, otherwise we might get burned.

The fear Solomon is talking about isn't a blind fear that causes us to run away from God in terror. He's referring to the kind of fear a child has not to upset their dad. They don't just fear His discipline, but his displeasure.

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, then knowing God relationally (not just intellectually) is insight and the heart of wisdom. God is love, and to truly know Him we need to trust that Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. When we know the perfect love of God, the fear that initially made us realise we needed to make our peace with Him melts away.

There is no fear in love. Fear should bring us to Christ for reconciliation. Love will keep us in His care.

'Awesome God, may we fear You as we ought. We pray too that You would help us to know You personally as our Lord and Saviour. For the honour of Your name, amen'

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