FEAR THE LORD

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Do you need God’s gift of wisdom in your life today? If you are like most people, your answer will be resounding, “yes”. Today we are going to start a new series of devotions that will highlight many of the expressions of God’s wisdom found in the biblical book of Proverbs. I pray that the Lord will use his word in your heart to bring his light upon your areas of need today. 

Beginning

The book of Proverbs opens with the most important truth concerning the gift of God’s wisdom that can be found anywhere:

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Proverbs 1:7 NIV11)

Essentials

For those who are seeking God’s wisdom (and therefore running away from foolishness), it is essential that we understand and embrace the “fear of the Lord.” 

Honor

One of the most important elements needed in order to fear the Lord and gain wisdom is a healthy sense of honor for God. This idea is expressed clearly in Psalms 22:23,  “You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

When we honor the Lord, we have a desire in our heart to express our love for the Lord. We seek ways to praise him and to express our gratitude for his mercy and love. 

Worship through praise in one of the ways we can honor the Lord, but there are many more expressions of honor for the Lord that are a part of our expression of devotion to the Lord. We can hear another expression of honor in Proverbs 3:9, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”

To honor the Lord is to seek his glory in all that we do, in all that we say, and in every interaction with the people God places into our lives. 

Respect

One element of fearing the Lord that is worthy of our attention is that of showing proper respect for the commands and teachings of the Lord. We are called to respect the name of the Lord and to not use this name in a vain or profane manner. This shows respect for God. 

Another expression of respect can be heard in Leviticus 19:32, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”

As we learn to show respect for those God has placed into our lives as leaders and keepers of the faith, we learn more about what it means to show respect for God. These expressions of respect lead us to take seriously the person and work of the Lord. 

Action

Fear of the Lord is more than just a squishy emotional feeling, it brings us to a decision point. Will we, or won’t we, fear the Lord and follow his command? This call to action can be heard in, 

Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

If we express our desire to honor the Lord, respect his name, and grow in his wisdom, then we must set our hearts and minds to the task of taking seriously his calling and command. 

Hallowed

Another expression of what it means to fear the Lord can be heard in the model prayer given by Jesus Christ. We can hear this expression of fear, honor, and respect in Luke 11:2, “He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”

Jesus Christ instructed us to acknowledge the holiness of Almighty God every time we turn to him in conversation and prayer. As we confess the truth of his right and authority over us as the Lord of our lives, we submit our will and our kingdom under his leadership and authority. 

Conclusion 

Before you and I beg God to reveal his will and his plans for our lives, we need to acknowledge his reality and his truth. 

•  We are his creation, he is the Creator. 
•  He is the Savior, and we are those in need of salvation. 
•  He is the giver of truth and we are desperate for his wisdom.

As you seek wisdom from the Lord today, remember the truth given by the Lord Jesus Christ as heard in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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