By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, M.A.

Intelligence finds human beings wanting to know, “Is there a God.”

Many people lean into intelligence, wanting to know what God wants of us humans. This leads to reading the Bible where it is made clear in Psalms 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding has all those who do His commandments.”

Comprehending this “fear of the Lord” is a major step in feeling safe with God. People who best succeed in this quest read the Bible concertedly as a practice within their daily or weekly endeavors. This is the key to finding what God desires for each of our lives. And, the support that comes to us within this practice indelibly marks the path in ways that define us as “God’s people.” A very nice part of this is that we find no need for any addictive escape patterns, such as leaning on alcohol and drugs. Our only addiction (if we can call it that) is seeking to know more about God and the love He has for us.

So, for sure, a practice of studying the Bible does not find us shaking in fear of God. This lifetime journey brings comfort within the trials of life, along with a peace (“that passes all understanding”) and a felt joy that uplifts one’s soul.

Scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This is not about dreading harm from Him. It is about the reverence we hold for God the Father, Jesus the Son and their presence, experienced through the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.

Once a person hears the Lord’s “knock on the door of her or his heart” and consequently opens up to wanting God in their lives—communication quickens, and the most amazing things begin to happen. Wisdom finds us seeking to learn everything we can about God. We want to be close to Him—as love, peace and joy abound within the interaction we now have with God through prayer and watching Him work within our hearts each day. We thirst to follow where He leads us. When we do something wrong, His Holy Spirit within quickly “speaks up.” We want to repent. We want to “abide” in the beautiful relationship we have with our Lord. (By the way, being “righteous” simply means “right living.”)

Isn’t this similar to the way we are with our human loved ones? It is not that we are in fear of them. No. We treat them the way they deserve to be treated because we want to be in continuous connection with them. If we fail to be respectful of a loved one, we know it quite quickly–and do what we can to set things right. That is not about “fear” that cripples us. It is wisdom that keeps prompting us to stay in good stead with our loved ones. We want their presence in our lives. What we fear is losing the closeness we enjoy within our loving relationships. This is wisdom. The same is true of “fearing the Lord.” Offending Him makes us feel insecure within our relationship with Him–one that keeps our lives in the fulcrum of God’s goodness.

So, which is greater, intelligence or wisdom? There can be no comparison! These go hand-in-hand. Without the one, we don’t have the other.

In today’s world, we see what happens when one prefers to only listen to their own voice from within to decide what is right or wrong for them. Bankruptcy happens–in ways that are even more harmful than losing their property or money.

This is why “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalms 111:10, promises, “A good understanding has all those who do His commandments.” No more sense of loneliness or loss. God promises a life of provision and protection—a life that holds meaning and purpose for those who want to live in a right relationship with Him.

See website Healing-with-Joy.com for multiple free helps with depression, disillusionment, disappointment and many matters that derail us in life. Her books and blogs are read in up to 32 countries. You may also enjoy Joy’s new Google site at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com