Several times as I have been reading Proverbs for our challenge, I have read a verse that starts with the phrase "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".

I like beginnings. They are usually simple, a place to start.

I can get really excited about something that claims to be the beginning of wisdom. But, then to see that it is "the fear of the Lord." I get a little goofed up at that point. Not because of the word fear. Frankly, I'm usually quite good at fear... but what is "the fear of the Lord"? If He's my friend and Father why am I afraid of Him? And, if I'm afraid of Him, how can I then approach Him?

I do want to be wise. I do understand that God is Holy in ways that are completely beyond me to even comprehend. I do understand that God is Just and Jealous and Mighty. He is God. I think that maybe that is some of fearing Him... but those are things that are my understanding and it is SO VERY limited. I want to learn to fear God in the way that is meant here. I long to have a full relationship with Him in which I know Him as Father, Friend, Righteous Judge, Counselor, Healer, Savior, Shepherd.... all that He is. My prayer is that He will help me to know Him more each day than the day before.

This Sunday we will be starting a two week study in Destinations called "City of God". In this first week we will be talking about the fear of God. As we get ready to lead Cypress in this service I have a challenge for us:

One of the songs we will be singing this Sunday as we worship is the song "Wonderful Maker." My challenge is this, let's take the lyrics to this song (listed below) and throughout the remainder of the week pray through them. Let's use them to start a conversation with God about how we've seen Him at work in our lives and how we long to see Him at work in our lives. And then, when we meet Sunday, we'll discuss how this has impacted how we see God, how we fear Him.

Wonderful Maker by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman
You spread out the skies over empty space
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and formless world Your light
was born

You spread out Your arms over empty hearts
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and hopeless world Your Son
was born

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only Son for You are good

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

No eye has fully seen, how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard
The faintest whispers of how great You are

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