THE STARTING PLACE

PROVERBS 1:7 NKJ 
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 
But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

All of us know some smart people.  And if we are really honest, we have to admit these people are smarter than we are.   The friend who never studied in high school and college and still made straight A's.  The person who can grasp very difficult concepts with ease.  The ones who go on to be rocket scientists.  I have never been in that category.   

But there is a category that all of us can belong to - those that fear the Lord.  These are the ones the Bible says are the smart ones, spiritually. 

The fear of the Lord is the place of respect and reverence for God and the things that pertain to the Kingdom of God.  Acknowledging God and having a respect for Him is where real wisdom and knowledge began.  And the wonderful thing is you don't have to be book smart to arrive at that place.   

Many of us know people who do not have much in the way of formal education, but they are God-fearing and loaded with wisdom.  And the thing about godly wisdom is that it produces such peace and joy and strength in our lives.  And that's something that a high IQ does not guarantee.   

APPLICATION 

Don't ever put yourself down as being dumb.  If you acknowledge and respect the living God, you have already tapped into a wisdom that will last for eternity long after this world has passed away.  Now that's smart.   

PRAYER 

Dear Father, I acknowledge and respect You as the living God, Creator of heaven and earth.  You give me a wisdom beyond what this world can offer.  To You, I am smart, and that's enough for me.