One Trait at a Time: Look Up to Honor God

Wisdom Scripture

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Wisdom Quote

The Wisdom Literature teaches that what is wrong is what deviates from God’s righteous path. Folly is the failure or refusal to reverence Yahweh (Prov. 1:7). Departing from the fear of Yahweh is to take the path of folly, which leads to destruction in all its forms. Proverbs 3:5 contrasts trust in Yahweh (the path of wisdom) with leaning on one’s own understanding—an insistence upon human autonomy that is at the root of folly and wickedness (cf. Gen. 3:6; Jer. 17:9).[1]

[1] Estes, D. J. “Wisdom and Biblical Theology.” Ed. Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. 2008: 857. Print.

Look Up to Honor God

I’m sure you want to please God, but how can you increase your desire to honor Him? When I see God’s greatness—His power, majesty, and glory—I tremble.

Fear God (Holy Reverence for His Greatness)

The Bible calls us to fear God:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
—Proverbs 1:7

You fear God as you increasingly recognize who He is. When you see His brilliant glory, faithful love, and unlimited power, you respond with reverential awe and respect. You tremble before Him in holy fear.

This godly fear is not fear of something bad. It is awe in the presence of Someone majestic, powerful, beautiful, and holy. And this kind of fear motivates change.

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
—Proverbs 8:13

When you begin to grasp even a small glimpse of our holy, incomparable, almighty God, you are compelled to obey Him.

God commands you to obey Him. He is God. Period.

Work hard to change your life to please the one and only holy Lord God.

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”
—Leviticus 20:7–8

(See also 1 Peter 1:15–16.)

Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see God more clearly so that your fear of the Lord deepens. Read a chapter of Scripture that reveals God’s character, such as Isaiah 40. Read accounts of people encountering God, such as Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. Then prayerfully meditate on God’s majesty, greatness, and holiness.

For more on the fear of the Lord, see Rejoice and Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord by Michael Reeves (Crossway, 2021).