If you’ve
ever asked that question as you faced a big job, you probably know the
difficulties of choosing what to do first, especially when the task seems
overwhelming. Joanne and I have a cellar full of “stuff” that has been sitting
there for quite a while – long enough to cause me a little embarrassment - and
I admit I am a procrastinator in the face of it. When death comes, most people
will leave behind things and information to others who may ask the question, “Where
do we start?” as they deal with what someone else can no longer possess. As
Jeff, our new church office assistant got started last week, he didn’t ask the
question, but we both felt it lingering over us: “What do we do first?” We tend
to ask this question when there is so large a task before us that we often do
not know how to get going on it. Even if it doesn’t really matter that much
where we begin, we still may wonder, delay, or find something else to do.
In my
sermon on Sunday I made reference to Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Last week
that simple statement percolated in my thoughts for quite a while. And it was
the word “beginning” that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I have known too many
people who figured in their lives that they would “deal” with God later: they
would get to Him at some unplanned time in the future – even at the time of
their deaths. What a foolish plan (or lack thereof) that is! I have also known
many people who pursued all that this world offers with all their hearts and
souls. What they missed, however, was the pursuit of God first. And when they
did this, everything they gained or accumulated became useless. All the study,
all the learning, all the preparation, all the investment, all the expenditure
of energy, all the achievement,… all futile in the end. Why? Because God had
been totally left out of the picture. They hadn’t begun with the Lord.
The Holy
Spirit tells us through Solomon’s words that there is something at the start –
at the beginning – that indicates possession of knowledge. All and any
knowledge of lasting, eternal value, only exists where the fear of the Lord
precedes it. Where the fear of the Lord – reverential, respectful trust and
deference, priority and honor given to God – exists, then I can say I truly
know anything. People – young people especially today – who have so many hopes
and dreams do well to begin with the Lord, and seek Him with an attitude and
relationship that takes into consideration His holiness, righteousness, glory,
and nature as God. To not start with this… to ignore Him… is to miss everything
and end up in futility in life.
Jesus knew these things. He once offered a man eternal
life. Who wouldn’t want that? The man, however, walked away from Jesus in
sadness, because he had given his heart to his possessions – all that he had
accumulated in this life. He was given first to the material things of this world,
and not to the fear of the Lord. So, in truth he was an ignorant man, not
really knowing or even possessing anything of value, because he didn’t start
with the Lord. All knowledge, ability, skill, and accomplishment in this life will
not last beyond the grave and will not bring satisfaction apart from the Lord.
This is why it is so important to begin with the Lord. It is so important for
us to acknowledge God’s place in everything, and to worship and serve Him above
all things.
In any endeavor… any dream or aspiration… any desire to
know, understand, or achieve… may we always begin with the Lord. Let us not
treat Him as an aside, as a corollary to our existence. Rather, let us first
acknowledge Him at the very center – leading and guiding, providing and
instructing through His Word. With every goal and objective in life we set, let
us always start with the Lord – acknowledging His priority and will. May we
always love for Him to be first, and may we rest in Him and be confident that
everything that begins with Him is what we really need to know in this life.
Matthew 16:26
(NIV) 26 What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul?
Proverbs 1:7
(NIV) 7 The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and
discipline.
Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
(NIV) 5 Love the LORD
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your
hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when
you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when
you get up.
PRAYER: Father, whenever I am faced with a decision or
when I need to know what to do, may I always go to you first. Incline my heart
and mind to always consider first what your Word teaches and may I seek your
will first in all things. Thank you for the grace that you show to me in
Christ, that I might even be able to consider these things – to know you and to
do your will. May you have the priority in my life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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