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Put God in His proper place. That is what "fear" means in this passage; a reverence or honor that we need to have is what it means to "fear the Lord." I used to think it was to be completely and totally afraid. But as you note, this phrase comes at the end of an instructional psalm. The writer is sharing how he begins with praising God. He then moves to giving thanks to the Lord with his "whole heart," also meaning with everything he has; and he does it in the company of like-minded believers. Why does he and why should we, give thanks? Because everywhere the believer looks, she or he sees great, awesome works of God. Awe and marvel come to those with God in their hearts. Great would be the lists we would write down if we were to list on paper everything God has done for us: God is gracious and merciful. God provides food. God keeps His covenant with us. We have seen God at work in our lives and in the lives of others; even in the lives of nations. "Holy and awesome is His name." To achieve all of that, is to reach that point of realizing God comes, or should come, number one in our lives. If we allow God to sit on the throne of our hearts, we begin to have proper and deep understanding of all things, and that, dear friend, is wisdom.
Seek to be wise today by putting God first in your life.
PRAYER: Loving God, come into my heart and reign there. Let my fear of You bring wisdom to me. This I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
