Rewarded

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
REWARDED
Prov 9:10-12
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
NIV
Is this really meaning to be afraid of the Lord or can I use the other meaning of that Hebrew word, reverence? I think in the sense that when the angels visited the shepherds they told them to fear not, to not be afraid, so I think in that sense I can be assured I should not be afraid of God, but I should, if I have any wisdom at all give him all the reverence he is so completely due. If I have but a shred of wisdom I would revere, or give him credit, acknowledge his power and his majestic sovereignty over mankind. For I think those who refuse such reverence are just plain unwise, or in other words foolish. Although some people in the world of intellectuals think I am foolish for my faith, I am actually far wiser than them. All their knowledge is based on human thought, my knowledge is based on the Holy One, because I understand God is who he says he is. Their knowledge, their wisdom is limited to their own understanding of what other humans have said, mine is unlimited because it is based on what God said. Is that prideful? I think not, but it is surely wise. I have always acknowledged my Lord as the source of all I am, all I have and all I do. He was the beginning of my true life, my real life, and as such is due all the glory and honor for my life. Although he did in fact knit me together in my mother’s womb, and knew me even before the foundations of the Earth, my true life began the moment I bowed my knee and confessed him to be my Lord and Savior. He has already added days to my life, years have been added to my life because of him. I know without a shadow of doubt if he had not been for him a more than one occasion I would have been some other place, other than here. But of what purpose are those many days and added years? Are they to be spent virtuously on self? I think not, but these many days and added years have been given to me so that I might benefit the Kingdom of God for a longer time, that I might have some influence on others, that I might be a useful servant to my Lord. I have more to do, more to accomplish for his Kingdom. Much as with king David, when I have fulfilled my purpose, then and only then can I sleep in the peace of my Lord. Because I revere my Lord, I am already rewarded.