To Fear the Lord

As my family drove through the Rocky Mountains the other day, each corner we turned we saw another amazing view of the mountains -- incredibly tall, immense and rugged, but perfectly textured, towering and majestic, with snow glistening on the evergreen trees and brush along the side of the road causing a dazzling spectacle.  I was in awe of the beauty, grandness and splendour of God’s creation around me.  I am currently studying the book of Proverbs, learning about gaining spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The first chapter depicts the theme for this book: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7) What does it mean to ‘fear’ the Lord? In my study of this phrase I came across words like reverence, awe, adoration, worship, devotion, thankfulness, love and honour. Pope Francis indicates that the fear of the Lord is “a joyful awareness of God’s grandeur…” In seeing God’s beautiful creation around us, whether it be the mountains, a snow covered tree in your front yard, or a fresh cut flower on your kitchen table, we can respond with humility, praise and adoration, giving thanks to Him for the blessings and gifts that He gives us each and every day, big or small. We need to acknowledge that God is the creator of the universe and continue to seek Him and who He is, which is the start (and the foundation) of gaining spiritual wisdom.  “Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, And his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:1-5