Wisdom’s Source

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Psalm 111

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!

(ESV)

During this pandemic, fear is an abundant commodity.  Social distancing is causing isolation for many as we isolate ourselves from social contact with others, it could lead to a fear of connecting once it is safe to do so.  Back in February I was in the ER with a rapid heartbeat and remember the ER doctor telling me that I was now in a safe place and finding comfort in his words.  I wonder if people going into the ER today feel the same sense of safety during this pandemic.  Fear is also a powerful emotion used by marketing professionals and politicians to cause people to change their behaviors and either buy a product, vote, or support a political agenda.  However, the fear of the Lord is not like fear we see in the world, or as Psalm 111:10 reminds us, the beginning of wisdom.

The first nine verses of Psalm 111 praise the works of the Lord but then the psalmist changes direction by stating that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  This leads us to the question of how praise for the works of God connects with the fear of the Lord bringing wisdom.  To make the connection we must begin by studying what the psalmist says about the works of the Lord in Psalm 111:1-9. 

1)      God’s works are great (Psalm 111:2) – This psalm does not identify the author but it is someone who probably grew up hearing of the great works of God that delivered Israel from their Egyptian slavery, including the parting of the Red Sea.  This work was so great that it caused Rahab to fear the Israelites and risk her life hiding the spies sent to Jericho (Joshua 2:10).  In Psalm 136:13 the psalmist touts this wonderous work as an example of God’s steadfast and enduring love.   In Stephen’s speech before his martyrdom for his faith, he reminds his executioners of God’s wonders and signs including the parting of the Red Sea (Acts 7:36). 

2)      God’s works are full of splendor and majesty (Psalm 111:3) – World leaders and politicians often revel in the splendor and majesty of their accomplishments, especially when running for office.  However, their works pale in comparison to the splendor and majesty of God’s creation (Romans 1:19-20).  If we have doubts about the majesty and splendor of God’s works during this coronavirus crisis, pause and look at the majesty of the mountains or a sunset or sunrise.  Also, consider the intricacy of something as simple as our hand which can create something beautiful. 

3)      God’s works are gracious and merciful (Psalm 111:4) – God could have exercised justice and righteousness by destroying Adam and Eve for their rebellion but instead banished then from the Garden of Eden with the promise of a redeemer (Genesis 3:15).  The provision of a redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the work of salvation on the cross are an example of the gracious and merciful nature of God’s works. 

4)      God’s works are provisional (Psalm 111:5) – God supplied manna from heaven (Exodus 16) and water from a rock (Exodus 17:1-7) to provide for Israel’s needs in the wilderness.  This provisional work of God is still available to believers today for God promises to supply our every need according to his riches in glory which is infinite (Philippians 4:19). 

5)      God’s works are powerful (Psalm 111:6) – The miracles performed by Jesus during his earthly ministry are a demonstration of the power of God’s works.  Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed storms, and raised the dead.  However, the greatest demonstration of the power of God in the ministry of Jesus was when God raised him from the dead.  The good news for us is that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us in the person of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). 

6)      God’s works are faithful and just (Psalm 111:7) – The faithful and just works of God are best demonstrated in the forgiveness of our sins and the cleansing of us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of the throne of God, but God administers his righteousness and justice in love and faithfulness (Psalm 89:14).  The beauty of the message of the Gospel is that a just and righteous God sent his sinless son to become sin and faithfully satisfied the justice of a just God by taking our penalty for sin upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

7)      God’s works are eternal (Psalm 111:8) – All of the works of the world have an expiration date, but God’s works are eternal.  The coronavirus crisis has cause us to come to grips with the reality that our hard work in building a prosperous economy, building retirement savings, and educating ourselves to land a secure job or career can quickly come to an end.  We have even seen a temporary end to the ability of the church to regularly gather in person.  However, the works of the Lord are eternal for God is not limited by social distancing and never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5).

8)      God’s works bring redemption (Psalm 111:9) – When Jesus said “it is finished” (John 19:30) he was saying paid in full meaning the debt of sin that created a separation between God and humanity was paid in full, making it possible for God and humanity to reunite.  This is the plan outlined in the Bible after the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 and God’s greatest work.  However, the redemption of God is not automatic and something we must claim.  If your gift of redemption remains unclaimed, I encourage you to claim it now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

However, how do these great works of God connect to the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom?  The answer is that we should fear what God could have done after Adam and Eve sinned by destroying them as a righteous and just God but also praise the merciful and gracious redemptive work of God in providing a savior to save us from our sin and redeem our relationship with our creator.  It is understanding the grace and mercy of God demonstrated by God’s provision of a substitute for our death penalty that opens the door for our understanding of the wisdom of God.  The source of wisdom is understanding the mercy and grace of God in the message of the Gospel.