1 Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

A teenager in our youth group asked me, “Why do we preach that Solomon was the wisest man to live when he made such foolish choices?” Solomon's early life and writings were filled with wisdom and the blessing of God. However, his older years were filled with sin, regret, and shame!
 
The man who taught us the danger of women had houses full of them. The man who taught of the blessings of singularly serving God turned his heart to other gods! The man who moved the heart of God in his younger years had the hand of God against him as a senior! How could a wise man make such foolish choices?
 
The answer lies within Solomon's writings: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 When Solomon became rich and powerful, he stopped fearing God! When he stopped fearing God, he stopped following His ways.
 
The fear of the Lord is a great thing. It's a motivating force that drives us to seek His will and direction for our lives. It's a reverence and respect for who God is and His holiness. It's awe and wonder that compels us to obey and serve Him. The fear of the Lord leads to a life of humility, obedience, and faith. It helps us to put aside our pride and selfishness and to trust in His ways.
 
The fear of the Lord is a deep respect and admiration for the Almighty that leads us to live in His presence. God calls us to fear Him, not out of terror or dread, but out of love and devotion. He knows that by doing so, we will live a life that is pleasing to Him. He longs for us to draw near to Him, to trust Him, and to seek His will. The fear of the Lord is not a fearful thing; it is a beautiful thing. It is a reminder of our great God and His power.
 
The longer we serve God, the greater blessing we receive. A danger we face, however, is that the blessing we receive can turn our confidence to the gift instead of the One who gave us the gift. May God's blessing in our life drive a deeper reverence, fear, and appreciation for Him!