June 24, 2016 (Friday)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7 NIV).
“The fear of the Lord” in this Bible verse simply means, “faith.” It means, “believing in the Lord.” This is the starting place as we accumulate knowledge.
“Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start” is a line we remember from a song in the musical, “The Sound of Music.” Sound advice. This verse from the Book of Proverbs tells us that learning begins at the beginning place, where we believe in God.
The translation of the Bible known as “The Message” renders Proverbs 1:7 as, “Start with God–the first step in learning is bowing down to God.”
Faith is the beginning place. Knowledge is the goal. What is knowledge? Words printed in a book? Not until you read them or hear them read and understand those words, accepting them and applying them in your own life.
First, I come to God. Then I begin learning about his world. As I learn facts, I begin the process of making them a part of myself. The original plan for Christian education followed this principle. Engulfed with the presence of God in my life, I am humbled by his creation, and find it marvelous indeed. Life itself takes on a glow that it would not have were it not for God’s presence. I know and experience that presence through faith.
I have no difficulty, then, of believing that this God, in whom I believe, manifested himself here on earth as a human being, perfect in every way, supremely qualified to save me from my sin and fill my life with meaning.
The Bible’s advice is wonderful: “Start with God–the first step in learning is bowing down to God.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning helps us to understand the importance of faith when she says,
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”