The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10, NIV)

Holy respect is always a good start. It keeps me from thinking of God as my “beer buddy,” or some other inane term we like to think of when we want God to just like us and not say too much about how we are doing in our lives.

When I start with holy fear, I am more capable of settling down so I can actually know God. Beginning with holy fear, I can step into wisdom. It is a starting point.

But if God is only my “best bud,” I won’t even be at the starting point of wisdom.