As I stated in my previous message; it is not about knowing but rather about practicing what we know. It is useless to know the beginning of wisdom without practicing it.
The good question is: 'How do I practice the Fear of the Lord?'
The word 'Fear' is translated from the Hebrew 'Yirat' which refers to 'awe,respect, devotion.'
Keeping in mind those three words above, I will simply and briefly guide our study to understand the 'Fear of the Lord'.
1. Having awe for God:
Having 'awe' for God is about showing Him respect mixed with amazement. Showing awe for the Lord can be done in many ways: in worship,in the way we talk about Him, in the way we describe Him, in the way we talk to Him.... Amazement is always included in awe.
2. Having respect for God:
The Wikipedia offers a great definition for the word 'respect' as a feeling of admiration for someone elicited by their abilities,qualities and achievements.
If we follow the above definition, we will show a special respect for God elicited by His abilities,qualities and achievements. In the same way that we feel inclined to honor and remain with people who respect us, God as well honors those who honor Him. There are several passages where the presence of the Lord departed from certain people simply because they did not respect Him. Anyone feeling disrespected in a certain environment would try his/her best to depart from that place. The same applies to God.
We can not expect to enjoy God's presence while disrespecting Him.
Therefore if you believe that God is present with you all the time, you will also do your best to live in a way that shows respect for His presence. Now that's wisdom.
3. Having reverence for God:
Reverence refers to a state of devotion for a person. The Wikipedia defines 'devotion' as a state of love,loyalty,enthusiasm for a person or activity. Having reverence for God transcends the Fear of the Lord' from lip service to devoted acts. In devotion, we do as He instructs us to do.
Doing according to His instructions reflects wisdom from our side.
Though the 'Fear of the Lord' is the beginning of wisdom, the same wisdom also contains a set of instructions to follow if we wish to walk on the path of life as Proverbs 8:32-34 states:
“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.'
When we show devotion (reverence), we also seek the instructions of Wisdom at her doorsteps on a daily basis and obey them, like Proverbs 8:34 mentions.
Wisdom is not some sort of poetry or an emotional song. Wisdom serves as guidance when we listen to her instructions.
Now that we have explained key concepts included in the 'Fear of the Lord', let's respond to the following question:
'How do I practice the 'Fear of the Lord' in my Life?'
You practice the Fear of the Lord by showing your amazement towards His person and by showing a deep admiration towards Him caused by his qualities,character, accomplishments and by showing enthusiastic active devotion /or submission for His instructions. If we live that way, we are well on our way to experience the beginning of wisdom.
Have you noticed that the Bible says: 'Fear of the Lord' and not 'Fear for the Lord'?
I will discuss the implication caused by that difference in my next installment of this series.