“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This is something of a motto in the wisdom literature of the Bible.

But what does it mean that fearing God is the “beginning” of wisdom?  Is the fear of God just a place to start?  Is it just a beginning stage that you eventually grow out of and then move on to other things as your wisdom matures? 

And what does it mean to “fear” God anyway?  How do we define this fear?  Stark terror?  Cringing?  Wincing?  Keeping him at arm’s length because you’re always apprehensive, nervous, and suspicious in his presence?

Let’s treat the second question first.

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As you may have guessed, if you’re following our more recent reflections on “Faith” (which you could catch up on by clicking on the “Faith” link in the “Reflections on…” column at the right — start with “What You Believe” ), we have been working towards a more robust Christian view of the doctrine of creation.

And today we come to a delightful truth to ponder as we seek to understand reality rightly… and that is the Joy of God in creation! 

“May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.”
—Psalm 104.31

The Bible teaches us that God take great pleasure and joy in the work of his hands!  Think of the oceans.  Psalm 104.25,26 says this about the ocean:  “Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.  There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.”

Leviathan.

This is a Hebrew word which basically means “Great Sea Monster.” Think of whales, the giant squid, crocodiles, etc.

Why did God create these “sea monsters”?

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Last Saturday a goodly number of Cornerstoners, ranging from seven–year–olds to seniors citizens, went on a fun–filled, four–and–a–half mile float trip with some outstanding young students from Boys Hope Girls Hope.

Only two canoes went belly–up, by the way.  And I had nothing to do with either one.  Honest.

Don’t know what Boys Hope Girls Hope is?  Here’s their mission statement:

“Boys Hope Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children–in–need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value–centered, family–like homes, opportunities, and education through college.”

One of our members, who volunteers at BHGH as a tutor, has described it this way…

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One of my favorite lines in church history is this one:  “Well, Henry, what shall we abolish next?” Here’s the story:

In 1780 William Wilberforce was elected to the British Parliament.  In 1785 he became a Christian.  Shortly after that — partly through the influence of his friend, the converted former slave trader John Newton — Wilberforce began his long campaign to abolish all slavery in the British Empire.

In 1788, he introduced the first parliamentary bill to “discuss” the abolition of the British slave trade.  But, as you can imagine, there were many rich and powerful people who were remaining rich and powerful specifically because of slavery (or because they were willing to support slavery). 

So, naturally, Wilberforce’s bill was hotly opposed.  Of course, the opposition was careful to make their point of view sound principled.  They espoused principles like these:

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When the long–expected King finally appeared in the flesh, he took his seat on the mountain and gave his people words of life.  “He opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 5.1-3).

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” That sounds very promising.  But what does Christ mean when he says that this kingdom will only be given to those who are “poor in spirit”?  What does spiritual poverty look like, and how does one enter into such a reality, acknowledge it, and begin to live it? 

Am I poor in spirit?  Are you?  Would we want to be?

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