October 22
The Fear of the Lord
Leads to Life
Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Daily Steps
This final entry on The Wisdom of God brings us back to the foundational principle (Day 286): the fear of the Lord. It defines the ultimate fruit of wisdom not just as material blessing or peace, but as the source of spiritual life itself, which actively protects the believer from moral and spiritual destruction.
The peace in this principle is found in eternal security:
The Source of Sustenance: The fear of the Lord is described as a fountain of life. A fountain represents a continuous, overflowing source of refreshment and spiritual vitality (Day 261). This reverent awe (Day 286) is the ongoing source that sustains the believer's faith (Day 254), joy (Day 295), and capacity for righteousness (Day 224).
The Result is Protection: This fountain of life has a crucial, protective function: turning a person from the snares of death. The word snares refers to traps or dangers, often set by the worldly foolishness (Day 290) of sin and deceit (The Call to Repentance, Day 278). The fear of the Lord creates an inner moral boundary (integrity, Day 294) that guides us away from destructive choices.
The Ultimate Fruit: The ultimate fruit of wisdom is to escape the snares of death—not just physical death, but spiritual death and condemnation. Choosing the way of wisdom is choosing the long life (Day 295) that leads to eternal reward (Day 281) and the guaranteed Presence of God (Day 276).
Your peace is secured by eternal security. Embrace the Fruits of Wisdom today by recommitting to the fear of the Lord, knowing that this reverent awe is your continuous fountain of life, actively protecting you from the traps and snares of death.
Reflective Question
If the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life that turns you from snares, what specific temptation or destructive choice (snare) are you facing right now? How can recalling the holiness and authority of God help you turn away from that temptation immediately?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my casual attitude toward sin. I thank You that the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. I pray for a renewed reverent awe that will continually guide me and protect me. Secure my peace today in this eternal security, and let the life-giving wisdom You provide turn me away from all the snares of death. Amen.
