Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Psalm 111:10a
Hallelujah! I give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the deeds of the Lord! …God redeemed the people; made a covenant for ever; holy and awesome is God’s Name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who act accordingly have a good understanding. Psalm 111:1-2a, 9-10a
“Fear of the Lord us the beginning of wisdom.” Faith in God developed Solomon’s understanding and empowered him to act inaccodance with God’s will. Solomon became king of Israel and Judah around age 15. There were significant challenges and numerous threats to his leadership: his age, the long standing regional division in the kingdom, and conflicts between his brothers. The threats, challenges and responsibilities of his work worried Solomon. He turned to God for help during regular worship, making burnt offerings, and taking retreats in the “high places.” Solomon worries invaded his sleep. During a treat in the hills of Gideon, God spoke to him in a dream. God asked,
“How can I help you?” Solomon replied, “God, you made me king in place of my father David, although I am only a child who does not know how lead. …Give me an understanding mind so I can govern your people and have the skills to discern between good and evil; 1 Kings 2:13-14
God responded to Solomon. God granted him wisdom and things he did not ask for (honor and riches). God agreed to grant him wisdom, renown and wealth if Solomon continued to “keep God’s commandments and statues.” Salvation, God’s love, is free, but faith in God is not a good luck charm.
Bad things happen to believers. The people of Israel ate manna in the wilderness and died, not just because they worshipped idols and longed for foods they ate in Egypt. The people of Israel ate manna and died because, in the words of Dr. Cecil Broderick, “none of us gets out of life alive.” Solomon received the wisdom he asked for and wealth and honor he did not ask for because he worked his faith. Before Solomon petitioned God for help, he was doing faith workouts. Solomon worshipped regularly, made sacrifices; went on retreats; studied and applied the Scriptures. Faith in God generates wisdom, peace that passes understanding, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation and more, when we put in effort. We have to do our part by worshipping, serving, praying and studying. God loves us. God waits for us with open arms. God hears our cries and complaints with empathetic ears. God looks for and finds us when we are lost. But when we deny God, neglect the work of faith or fill our days and heads with things that lead us away from God, God does not force us to be faithful. We are creatures of God’s creation. We are children of a heaven parent. We are not slaves who are forced to love and serve a master. We are free. Free to do the work and deeds for faith. Free to neglect the work and deeds of faith.
Paul pleaded with the Christians in Ephesus
Be careful about how you live. Do not behave like unwise people. Be wise, make the most of the life, evil is real and ever present. So do not be foolish, develop an understand of God’s will.
Solomon “Feared of the Lord.” He developed wisdom to discern the difference between evil and good. He did what Paul directed the Ephesians to do. Solomon worked to unite himself with God through worship, study, prayer, and service. This is what Jesus advocated in the Gospel of John. Just as God’s love is eternally free and universally accessible. Jesus’ offering of himself on the cross is eternally free and universally accessible. Jesus likens his body to bread. His body was broken on the cross to make the benefits of forgiveness, reconciliation and grace accessible to anyone willing to partake. Jesus likened his blood to wine. The blood that poured from Jesus’ wounded hands, feet, side and head make the benefits of forgiveness, reconciliation and grace accessible to everyone willing to drink of his cup. One of the criminals executed with Jesus said, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responded to this request, “today you will be with me in paradise.” That theft’s did the work of faith, he petitioned God for help.
Bad things can and do happen to believers. Just as Solomon overcame challenges and threats to fulfill the responsibilities of his office so too can we. When we unite with God through prayer, worship, study and service God strengthens us with wisdom. When we unite with Christ by partaking of his body and blood at Communion we are strengthened for service. Just as Jesus said in John, Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” John 6:? The Episcopal Church, along with the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches, offers Communion every sabbath, on feast and fast days and, some have Communion services 7 days a week. We do this to unite worshippers with God through Jesus. There is a hymn that describes the wisdom and strength available when we unite with God through Christ’s body and blood.
Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that holy things have taken;
let ears that now have heard thy song to clamour never waken.Lord, may the tongues which 'Holy' sang keep free from all deceiving;
the eyes which saw thy love be bright, thy blessèd hope perceiving.The feet that tread thy holy courts from light do thou not banish;
the bodies by thy Body fed with thy new life replenish.
