Proverbs 23:17 ...be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

Proverbs are short observations about life. They teach us how to navigate life successfully: doing and saying the right thing at the right time; making wise decisions; being emotionally mature. They emphasize that this wisdom and knowledge comes from the Lord. The ‘fear of the Lord’ is a reverence and devotion that leads to obedience and produces wisdom. See what the following verses from Proverbs have to say about the fear of the Lord:

·        1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

·        2:5 - Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

·        8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

·        9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

·        10:27 - The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

·        14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

·        15:16 - Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

·        15:33 - The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

·        16:6 - By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

·        19:23 - The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

·        22:4 - By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

·        23:17 - Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

·        29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Let’s walk in the “fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost” – Acts 9:31

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry