“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
  but fools despise wisdom and instruction” — Proverbs 1:7

Hello readers! Thanks for your many responses as to what devotional materials you would like to read. We’re going to start exploring other books of the Bible, beginning with weekly devotions from the Book of Proverbs. Enjoy!

A story is told about a man who was walking through a forest when he saw a tree with an arrow embedded in the exact centre of a target. Impressed, the man took note but continued his walk only to find another tree a few yards away, again with an arrow exactly in the centre of the target. As he continued on, he saw another tree with a perfect hit, and then another, and still another.

After about ten trees the man decided that he must find the talented archer and recruit him for the king’s army. After searching, he found a man shooting arrows. “Are you the man who has shot the arrows at all the trees in this forest?” asked the traveller. “Indeed, I am,” replied the archer. “How did you become such an expert archer?” inquired the man. The archer explained, “It was easy. I simply shot arrows at the trees. Then I drew the targets around the spot that I had hit!”

This story shows us how when someone is more interested in their own agenda than accuracy, they can easily falsify the truth. When someone wants a self-serving answer, they will find one. One cannot discover truth while attached to a false ideal.

This is why in the first chapter of Proverbs, King Solomon teaches us that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” The Jewish sages explained that in this instance, “fear of the LORD” refers to having reverence for God. It means making God’s Word the objective measure for truth, rather than our own subjective determinations. Only then can we discover true wisdom, untainted by our own ego or material desires.

If we want to find the truth, we have to begin with it. We must start from the point of knowing that God is the LORD Who created the Heavens and the Earth and that His Word is the ultimate truth. If we are sincere in our pursuit of knowledge, without any personal agenda, we will surely find wisdom for living that is “sweeter than honey” and “more precious than gold” (Psalm 19:10).

“Fear of the LORD” is true wisdom.

Your turn: What truths have you discovered in the Bible that provide you with wisdom on how to live each day?