The Fear of the Lord
Wednesday’s Verse:
From Proverbs 9:10 ESV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Wisdom doesn’t start with confidence in ourselves. It starts with bowing before God. “The fear of the Lord,” Proverbs says, “is instruction in wisdom… To fear the Lord is to receive life as a gift; to know him as holy; to trust in his ways above our own.” In the language of Luther, here begins faith, “not in what we can do, but in God who has mercy on us and speaks to us.”
This verse reminds us that wisdom is more than just information. Wisdom is insight — seeing reality through lenses ground by the Holy One of Israel. We become wise as we hear His Word spoken, as we receive His promises, and as we walk daily in repentance and faith. The beginning of wisdom is bowing low before the Lord who gives life, rather than thinking we can master it for ourselves.
And for the Christian, the fear of the Lord is holy trust. For in Christ, our God has not only approached us in holiness, but also in nearness to save us. So may we learn wisdom at the feet of Jesus, who is wisdom Himself, and who guides our every step into peace, humility, and steadfast hope.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, teach us the fear of the Lord, that we may grow in true wisdom. Keep us humble before You, grateful for Your mercy, and attentive to Your Word. Through Jesus Christ, our wisdom and our Savior. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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