Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION
20 April 2026

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 

Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭

Have you ever wondered why some people walk in peace while others are drown in chaos? Why some thrive with little, yet others crumble despite having much? Why some shine with wisdom while others stumble in foolishness? These questions point us to a deeper truth about what shapes a person’s life from the inside out.

Proverbs 9:10 gives us a clear starting point: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

This “fear” does not mean terror. It means reverence—a deep awe and respect for who God is. It is recognizing His holiness, authority, and love, and understanding our rightful place before Him.

When we live with this reverence, our hearts begin to realign. It confronts our natural tendencies toward pride, self-reliance, and control. Instead of living as if everything depends on us, we learn to walk in humility and dependence on God.

This is where true wisdom begins. Wisdom is not just knowledge or intelligence; it is a life shaped by knowing God personally. As we grow in reverence, we begin to see life from His perspective. This leads us to trust Him, obey His ways, and love others more deeply.

Wisdom, then, is not something we strive to achieve on our own. It flows from how we position our hearts before God. When we choose reverence over pride and dependence over self-sufficiency, we step into a different way of living—one marked by clarity, peace, and purpose.

Proverbs 9:10 is an invitation: anchor your life in God. From that foundation, you will build a life that is steady, meaningful, and truly wise.

“The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else.” — Oswald Chambers