We live in an age of technology, where you can search for answers to a question in a minute or less. That’s knowledge of worldly things. But that’s not what the Lord wants us to spend our time on. He wants us to search for wisdom, that only comes from Him. “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.” (Prov. 9:10-12)

A few weeks ago we looked at what fear of the Lord is: “The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Is. 8:13) Instead of fearing anything here on earth, we must fear God. Fear of God is more than awesome respect for our Lord. We must fear when we are separate from Him. Fear that comes from the enemy is debilitating and destroys our confidence. Fear of the Lord has us walking with Him, realizing that we are standing in the presence of the Almighty righteous and holy God.

The truth is that if we do not obey what the Lord tells us, we are not fearing Him; we don’t have His wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” (Ps. 111:10)

In order to have understanding that wisdom comes from the Lord, we must obey His Word, which requires digging for His wisdom: “indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:3-5) What this passage shows me is that I must value His wisdom more than anything else so that I search for it. And then when I value it, I will do what His Word says, and THEN I will understand the fear of the Lord.

Then He rewards us for our faithfulness to His Word. “For the Lord gives wisdom, His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” (Prov. 2:6-8)

There’s a marked difference in learning what the Lord’s Word says (knowledge), and DOING what His Words says (wisdom and understanding). “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22) Without obeying His Word, we are deceiving ourselves and living our lives in sin, which mocks Him. If we make that choice, we cannot expect His protection.