My skilled living got its freshest start from my greater Fear-of-God insight into life knowing trusting Holy God. Proverbs 9:7-12

Proverbs 9:7-12 Lexham English Bible

⁷ He who corrects a scoffer gains abuse for himself,
    and he who rebukes the wicked gets hurt.^[a]
8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
    rebuke the wise and he will love you.
⁹ Give to a wise one and he will become more wise;
    teach^[b] a righteous one and he will increase learning.

Foolishness’ Banquet

¹⁰ The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
    and knowledge of the Holy One,^[c] insight.
¹¹ For by me your days shall increase,
    and years of life shall multiply for you.
¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
    and if you scoff, alone you shall bear it.

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Proverbs 9:10-12 Amplified Bible

¹⁰ 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.
¹¹ 
For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied,
And years of life shall be increased.
¹² 
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit];
If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.

I tend to err on the side of caution.

If there is risk involved, I will pause and evaluate the situation so that I can make a decision that will keep me as protected and safe as much as possible.

From an early age I learned respecting things like laws of gravity, the authority of people in charge, was better than disrespecting things that I cannot control.

That helps me understand what the author of Proverbs is saying here.

Fearing the Lord does not mean being blind scared of God, as if he were a tyrant waiting to take his anger out on us.

To fear the Lord is to give him respect and reverence. After all, God is the Creator who graciously crafted a covenant with his people.

He deserves our respect.

God has promise d to provide his people with all that they need.

He deserves our maximum reverence.

Revering the Lord is the first step in developing a vibrant relationship with him.

Revering God calls for us to submit ourselves humbly to him—seeking him, listening to him, and obeying him.

Fearing the Lord puts us in the primo position of a servant who loves God and trusts God. That is where God wants us to be, and that is where we need to be.

In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …

Praying …

Don’t Assume You Know It All

3 ^1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

^3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

^5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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