Thought for the Day

Verse 26 - Many verses in Proverbs speak about a holy "fear of the Lord." The Amplified Bible sheds light on this phrase: "In the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is strong confidence." Those who reverence the Lord believe His word. We have already seen in Day 55 that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Respect and understanding of God produces a desire in us to obey Him. Keeping God's Word brings us under His protection; those who fear Him are promised a long life, strong confidence, and refuge.

Verse 27 - The worshipful fear of God is like a fountain of life. By walking in His path we avoid the traps leading to death. What is true worship? Some equate singing songs with worship. One can worship God while singing, but singing alone does not mean that one is worshipping. It is the voice of the heart that God hears, not just the words of the song. The highest form of worship is obedience. God has a name for those who draw near to Him with their lips but not their hearts: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me..." (Matthew 15:7-9).

The heart of man speaks louder to God than his words. God considers men's hearts, and is not influenced by outward appearances. When told to anoint a king to replace Saul from among Jesse's sons, Samuel was impressed with the fine appearance and stature of the eldest, but the LORD told Samuel, "…Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

Without God, all men's hearts are wicked and deceitful. We must be "born again," to get a new heart, so that we have the Holy Spirit, and are made able to obey the Lord. We can align our words with His Word, making them acceptable to Him. David knew it would require God's strength and redemption to make his heart's meditations and the words he spoke acceptable to Him. This is true of us too! We need to make David's prayer our own: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).