Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Job 28:28

And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28 (NIV)

Lots of people have many ideas on what it means to be wise. Some would say that it’s all about making good decisions. Others would argue that being wealthy or having a good education makes a person wise.

Today’s Bible verse gives us a different idea of what wisdom and understanding mean to God. It tells us that fearing God is wisdom. The idea of fear here isn’t being scared of God. Instead it’s reverence toward God. It gives us the idea of the whole worship of God.

When we revere and respect God, we treat the things He says are important with respect. When we worship God, we treat His words, and His people with a greater importance than other things.

When we treat God’s word and His desires with respect, we’re fearing Him. And when we do that, we’re becoming wise.

There is human wisdom, which is often incorrect and often changes based on opinion or fads. However, lasting wisdom is based in God and His word. It’s when we seek after those things that we become truly wise.

So if you want to be regarded as wise, it’s not all about what college you go to or what books you’ve studied. Instead, wisdom according to God is to follow God. It’s doing what He says, following His word, and worshipping Him above all else. When you do that, you’ll become truly wise.