PROVERBS 9

Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

What comes to mind when you hear the word fear?

As a child of the '80s, a lot of things pop into my head—some serious, some just plain silly. I remember the fear of being late and facing my parents’ disapproval. Then there were the classic movie villains: Freddy Krueger, Jason, Michael Myers… and—my wife likes to remind me—her childhood fear that Darth Vader might be hiding in the closet.

Fear came in all kinds of forms, often tied to the unknown or the consequences of our choices.

But the kind of fear described in Proverbs is something entirely different. It’s not fear of punishment or a lurking danger. It’s a holy fear—a deep awe and reverence for the living God.

It’s the kind of fear that doesn’t make us run away, but draws us closer in humility. It acknowledges God’s holiness, His power, His justice—and also His mercy.

This posture of reverent fear is what actually leads us into wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It’s not a fear that paralyzes—it’s a fear that brings clarity. It helps us see ourselves and the world rightly.

When we fear the Lord like this, we start to believe that His ways are truly good. That His commands aren’t burdens, but gifts meant to lead us to life.

Solomon goes on to say that through wisdom, “your days will be many, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:11). That doesn’t mean life will be free of hardship—but it does mean that the path of wisdom leads to flourishing. Spiritually. Relationally. Even physically.

Wisdom born from reverence shows us that God’s boundaries aren’t walls keeping us from joy—they’re guideposts pointing us toward it.

To fear the Lord is to take Him seriously. To believe what He says is true. To trust that the consequences He warns us about are real—and that the life He offers is better than anything we could create on our own.

That kind of fear—a holy fear—becomes the seed of true faith. And from that seed, knowledge and understanding begin to grow.

We believe first. And in time, we come to know.

PRAYER

Father, may we live a life of and reverence for who you are, so we may come to know you on a deeper level. Your Word says that fearing you leads to wisdom, so today God I ask for your wisdom with my family, my coworkers, my friends, and any other person you bring across my path. May I be a reflection of you and your wisdom to a watching world, so that they may also come to know you on a deeper level. Amen