| FEAR OF THE LORD |

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, can you give thanks for the Bible? Perhaps, for some of you, give thanks that this is the first time you have ever actually read the Bible. I am certainly thankful to God that you have chosen to join us.

This morning’s reading is just the introduction to Proverbs. Proverbs was written by King Solomon. The heart of Proverbs is to teach the fear of the Lord. That is, the foundation and fountain of wisdom are in a clear knowledge and appropriate response to who God actually is. It is the one who denies God or rejects God whom Solomon calls the fool.

One way to approach the Proverbs is to read one chapter daily for 31 days. If you would be interested in getting to know the proverbs better, I would recommend that you do that. Otherwise, I would encourage you to skim through a few of the proverbs. Stop and reflect on a few before you put the Bible down today.

One of my favorite proverbs is the section on the ant (Proverbs 6:6–11).

Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs like this one are immensely practical. Take a moment and consider how this proverb connects with your life and circumstances.