Tuesday, October 9, 2018
The Beginning of Wisdom
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (
Sometimes I think people in the church are far too casual with God. They have a relationship with God, but they’ve forgotten the holiness of God. They say Jesus is their “homeboy,” but their so-called homeboy created the universe. Let’s show some respect. This is God Almighty we’re talking about. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV). Holy is His name. Reverenced is His name.
Psalm 111:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (NKJV). Fearing God means that we have reverence for Him. I like this definition of it: “a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.” It isn’t so much a fear of retribution; it’s a dread of displeasing Him. It’s a dread of dishonoring Him or disappointing Him.
Years ago I became friends with Dr. Alan Redpath, a wonderful British gentleman who is now in Heaven. He wrote some fantastic books, and I was always in awe of him. When I was around him, I was always on my best behavior and never pulled my usual pranks. But one night we were sitting in a restaurant, and I felt something hit my chest. I looked down, and it was a fork. Dr. Alan Redpath had tossed a fork at me. He smiled and said, “I thought it was disposable.”
I thought, “What? He’s a comedian now!” I never lost my respect for him.
Hebrews 11:7 tells us that “by faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (NKJV).
Noah moved with reverence and godly fear. We should never lose our reverence for God.
Copyright © 2018 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
SPECIAL OFFER
In thanks for your gift, you can receive Jesus Revolution
Jesus Revolution tells the amazing true story of the Jesus Movement, an extraordinary time of mass revival, renewal, and reconciliation. Read how the Holy Spirit was poured out on a generation of Jesus People and how revival is possible for today’s generation as well.
This excellent book is our thank-you gift to you when you donate to Harvest Ministries today.