PROVERBS 14
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
– Proverbs 14:22-28
PROVERBS 14 WHEN YOU HAVE THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you have the fear of the Lord, wisdom is found
Revering and fearing the Lord protects you from death
Those who fear the Lord hates all kinds of evil
The righteous and godly sees the tactics of the devil
When you have the fear of the Lord, you have understanding
You easily discern what is false and have courage to expose it
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied
He makes known his covenant to all those who fear the Lord God Almighty.
Solomon mentions in verses 26-27 some of the benefits that one gets if he fears the Lord. What does the fear of the Lord means? Many unbelievers or even some Christians misunderstand what this really mean. Deuteronomy 10:12 says what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. So, to fear the Lord is to make him first and obey and serve him alone.
REFLECTION
- How can you tell if someone has the fear of the Lord?