Revere and rejoice in God’s holiness

To the Editor:

The the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and of wisdom and gives us understanding (Prov. 1:7, 9:10). These two scriptures in Proverbs tell of the fear of the LORD bringing wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. So what is the fear of the LORD? The fear of the LORD is recognizing the sovereign majesty of the LORD. It is affording Him the respect and reverence He deserves because He is our Creator and the sovereign authority over all His creation. The fear of the LORD is honoring Him in His holiness and righteousness.

Natural man does not know God. He may be fearful of God’s judgment, but many don’t. Natural man cannot and will not reverence God because he is carnally minded and enmity with Him (Rom. 8:7).

God through regeneration of man by His Holy Spirit enables him to properly respect and reverence Him. God put the fear of Him in their hearts so they will not depart from Him (Jer. 32:40) and cause His Spirit to rest upon them so they will have wisdom, understanding, and fear of Him (Isa. 11:2).

By the working of the Holy Spirit those chosen by God need to reverence him and rejoice in Him because of all He provides for them.

Jim Batt

Mexico, Pa.