Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. We are called to fear the Lord and obey His commands and instructions before the golden bowl is shattered and the silver cord is severed. For what is the lot of man but to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of his labor? If he has good health, this too is a gift from God.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and understanding is knowledge of the Holy One.
Why do mortals persist in rebellion and sinfulness? Is it not due to their lack of knowledge of God? Many are ignorant of the fact that God is love and that Jesus Christ died so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
All of man’s goals and purposes, besides doing God’s will and fulfilling His higher purpose, are mere chasing after the wind—mere vanities. All things that can be shaken will be shaken until only what cannot be shaken remains.
Mortals must fear the Lord, humble themselves under His mighty hand and obey His just and fair commands before the golden bowl is broken and the silver cord is severed.
As it is written:
“Repent and return to me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7).
“Seek me wholeheartedly, and you shall find me. As you move closer to me, I will move closer to you” (Jeremiah 29:13; James 4:8).
The Lord is long-suffering towards all men and does not desire that the wicked should perish, but that they should repent of their sins, return to God, and make Him their refuge. Let them make peace with Him in their hearts.
The mighty hand of the Lord God Almighty is still raised to receive all who return to Him and believe in the Son He sent to save mankind from their sinful nature.
Are we willing to heed His call, return to Him, and make Him our only refuge against the storms, trials, and temptations of this sinful world corrupted by mankind’s rebellion against God’s just and fair commands?
As it is written:
“Like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, so God, the Father of our Lord, is ready to receive us when we repent of our sins and make Him our refuge” (Matthew 23:37).
Will we repent, and believe in the son he sent as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind so that all who believe in him has eternal life or will we be like the Israelites who refused to make God their refuge, persisted in disobedience, and failed to enter His rest? They perished in the wilderness, and of their generation, only Joshua and Caleb entered the Promised Land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.