“There will be times of security for you – a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure” (Isaiah 33.6).

The fear of the LORD is the principal part of wisdom. It is the awareness that God is near. It is both convicting and comforting for the believer. Truly divine wisdom expands a believer’s intellectual capacity. It also informs a life that pleases God.

The Word of God is illuminated by the Spirit of God for the glory of God. To glorify God is to reflect His character. Before we came to Christ, we were satisfied with external reformation and the ever changing moral standards of society. Once we come to Christ, our standards are intensified to the level of thinking. We know committing adultery and murder are wrong. We also know looking and lusting along with anger and hatred are also wrong. As a matter of fact, Jesus taught that to look and lust after another who is not your husband or wife is adultery. Anger directed toward another is murder. 

Now that we have the promises of God in the Word of God, we cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7.1). What is filthiness of the flesh? It is pride, envy, discontentment, covetousness, and all the other thinking-level sins. We seek higher level thinking. 

The truth is in Jesus. So, we take off our former way of life, the old self “that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.” We put on the new self, “the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth” (see Ephesians 4.22-24). 

Indeed, the fear of the LORD is our treasure. It is a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. We were poor, blind, wretched, and hungry. Now we are rich, discerning, privileged, and filled. Is this not sanctification? Is this not a quiet confidence …a blessed assurance? Yes, godliness with contentment is great gain.