Fear

 

Well now, let me tell you somethin' about this "fear of the Lord" business, it ain't what you might think, not like bein' scared of a junkyard dog, no sir. It's more like that feelin' you get when you see a big ol' thunderstorm rollin' in, powerful and awe-inspirin', somethin' that makes you know there's somethin' bigger than you out there.

Now, these sources, they're like ol' country preachers, tellin' us that this "fear of the Lord" ain't about cowerin' in the corner, but about havin' respect, a real deep down reverence for the Almighty. It's like knowin' your place in the world, seein' how the Lord's hand is in everything, from the smallest bug to the biggest star.

• It's the startin' point for gettin' true knowledge, not just book learnin' but the real deal, the kind that helps you make sense of things. You can't rightly understand nothin' if you don't know where it all comes from, and that's from the Lord. It's like tryin' to build a barn without knowin' what a hammer is, ya just can't do it.

 And wisdom, well, that’s the know-how to use that knowledge right. It ain't enough to just know a fact, you gotta know how to apply it to your life, how to make good decisions, how to treat folks right. That kind of understandin' comes from a heart that's tuned in to the Lord. It's like knowin' how to plant a seed, but then actually knowin' how to make it grow and bear fruit.

• And this "fear of the Lord," it makes a fella humble. It's about knowin' you ain't the smartest one in the room, and that there's always more to learn. It's like bein' a young pup listenin' to the old hound dogs, you gotta be quiet and pay attention to get the wisdom. When you get too big for your britches, well, you're gonna miss out on a whole lot.
• It's also the basis for moral living. It keeps a fella from strayin' too far, reminds him what's right and what's wrong, like having a compass to keep you headed in the right direction. It's like havin' a fence around the garden, keepin' out the critters that want to eat up everything good.
• It ain’t just about the spiritual, though, it's practical too. This kind of reverence can guide your everyday life, make you better at everything you do, and help you make choices that'll lead you to good places. Like when you’re fishin’, you gotta have patience, and a real respect for the fish you’re tryin’ to catch.

So, this "fear of the Lord," it's the foundation for everything good and right. Without it, you're just buildin' on sand. It’s where true knowledge and wisdom begin, and it can help you stay on the straight and narrow path, all the way home. Now, I reckon that’s somethin' to think about.