The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10 NIV)
When we hear the word fear, most of us think of anxiety, panic, or the instinct to run away. Fear is what we feel when we see a snake or hear a strange noise in the middle of the night. That kind of fear doesn’t seem to fit in with loving and trusting God. But the Bible tell us over and over to “fear the Lord,” which can feel confusing.
The key is the Hebrew word behind it: yareʾ, pronounced yah-RAY. Yes, it can mean fear, but it also carries the idea of awe, reverence, and deep respect. It’s the kind of fear you feel standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. You’re not afraid the view will hurt you, but you’re aware that you are in the presence of something awesome and magnificent. That kind of awareness doesn’t make you want to run away. It draws you in and makes you want to pay attention.
That’s the kind of fear the Bible talks about. In the Old Testament, yareʾ describes how we should approach God. When Moses sees the burning bush, he covers his face, not because he thinks God is going to strike him down, but because he understands that God is overwhelmingly holy. When Israel is commanded to “fear the Lord,” it’s not a call to cower in a corner, but to take God seriously enough to trust Him completely.
That’s why Proverbs says the fear of the Lord is “the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom doesn’t begin with gathering information. It starts with having the right perspective, realizing that we’re not the center of the universe. When we truly yareʾ God, we recognize that He sees more, knows more, and loves more deeply than we could ever imagine.
And here’s the beautiful part: that kind of fear doesn’t push us away from God; it draws us closer. Unlike the fear that makes you hide, yareʾ makes you lean in closer. It’s the difference between fearing a tyrant and reverencing a loving Father who also happens to be the most powerful being in existence. One kind of fear makes you hide; the other gives you security and comfort.
If God were small, our problems would feel overwhelming. But when we stand in awe of who God truly is, our fears begin to shrink. That doesn’t mean that life suddenly gets easy. We still face uncertainty and pain. But awe changes the question. Instead of asking, “How will I ever get through this?” we begin to ask, “What kind of God is walking through this with me?”
That kind of fear doesn’t make us run and hide. It draws us near.
Prayer: Holy God, teach us what it really means to stand in awe of You. Help us to fear You in the right way, with reverence that leads to trust and obedience. When our hearts are anxious, remind us that Your power always goes hand-in-hand with Your goodness. Give us the wisdom that begins with fearing You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day