The Fear of the Lord Is Wisdom [Job 28]

¹²"But where can wisdom be found?
         And where is the place of understanding?
    ¹³"Man does not know its value,
         Nor is it found in the land of the living.
 ²³"God understands its way,
         And He knows its place.
    ²⁴"For He looks to the ends of the earth
         And sees everything under the heavens.
    ²⁵"When He imparted weight to the wind
         And meted out the waters by measure,
    ²⁶When He set a limit for the rain
         And a course for the thunderbolt,
    ²⁷Then He saw it and declared it;
         He established it and also searched it out.
    ²⁸"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
         And to depart from evil is understanding.'"

Job finally discovered something way more valuable than precious stones or any of earth's treasures - wisdom that comes from God Himself.   "God understands its way, and He knows its place."  Yes, "He established it and also searched it out."  How do we get it? "And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"

So what is the "fear of the Lord?" This is another term that floats around in thin air, sounding majestic and something I know I want but not definable.   Strong's Bible dictionary can help us with this.  Fear - to hold in highest value.  It doesn't matter if our fear is of what others may say about us or of getting into an elevator or of the Lord, the word is the same.  When I fear what others may say I am holding that in highest value.  For that moment, that thought is more true than God's love.  I am holding it as more valuable than God. 

Do we want wisdom and understanding?  We need to depart from everything that is not in line with God's character (evil) and embrace God's truth.  Where can we go to find God's truth?  Where else can we go except to the words He has spoken - Scripture.  He wants us to know Him and to fear Him.  He wants us to have His wisdom and understanding as we embrace Him above all other things, people or circumstances.  Isn't this what our heart longs for?  Isn't that the purpose of our existence?  To know Him so well that we give a true estimation of who He is? (Definition of glory.)

God, we praise You that You have all wisdom and understanding.  You understand wisdom's way and You know its place.  You are God all-wise and we want to value You more than anything else today.  Would You please do that in us?  Cause us to turn away from any thing or any thought that keeps us from fearing You, in Your strength and power that You are providing moment by moment.