Wisdom Learns In Reverent Fear

Someone else cannot do this for you. Yes, the Lord sends us pastors and teachers to proclaim his Word, but they cannot make you take that word to heart so that you grow in wisdom. You reap what you sow. Or consider how Proverbs puts it, "If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer" (Proverbs 9:12 NIV). Your growth in wisdom happens inside you. If you grow, you yourself benefit. If you regress, you're the one who suffers.

For example, if you send your children to Sunday school, that's good. They are growing in wisdom as God's Word is brought into their hearts. But if you aren't growing in God's Word as well, your faith will not benefit, no matter how much your children learn. Just as a wife cannot believe for her husband, or vice-versa, we cannot grow in wisdom for someone else. And if you stopped growing in wisdom because you got confirmed and figured you were done, you've been dying since that day. That kind of thinking is type of mockery, as if you were saying, "God I put in my time and got confirmed. You'd better take care of me as I live my life my way." "If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer" (Proverbs 9:12 NIV), Proverbs declares.

But how often haven't each of us missed opportunities to grow in wisdom? We watched another TV program instead of taking a little time to spend with our God in his word. We let the busy activities of life interfere with studying his Word with our god-given pastor or hearing it publicly preached in worship. Or maybe we do we put in our time Sunday morning, but leave the message at church, never thinking about it during the week or putting it into practice in our daily lives.

You and I are guilty. We deserve for God to leave us. But instead Jesus, who is divine Wisdom, declares to you, "I came for you, sinner. I became flesh and blood and died in your place. My sacrifice pays for your sin. For see, I rose from the dead, the pledge and seal of your forgiveness. I now come to you through my Word and Sacraments. Don't despise me by neglecting them. Take to heart my message of forgiveness. For that is the Good News that brings you to delight in my commands and to grow in true wisdom."

Yes, dear friends, continue to grow in wisdom all your life as you humbly receive the Lord's instruction. For you see, wisdom keeps on learning in reverent fear. (That's the theme to take home.) For "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10 NIV).

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Keywords: wisdom, fear, fear of the Lord, beginning of wisdom, Proverbs, love, correction, spiritual growth

Description: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. What is the fear of the Lord? How does this play out in my life? Let's meditate on these words from Proverbs. Parts: A. Humbly receive the Lord's correction. B. Continue growing in wisdom all your life. Preached on September 12, 2010, for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN. By Pastor Gregg Bitter.