Our Venerable Father Alexius, Man of God.
Day 15 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 8:13-9:7; Vespers – Genesis 6:9-22; Proverbs 8:1-21.
Read Proverbs 8:1-21
The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness,
And both rudeness and arrogance, and the ways of wicked men;
And I hate the perverted ways of evil men.
Counsel and safety are mine;
Discernment is mine, and strength is mine;
By me, kings reign,
And princes write of righteousness;
By me, noblemen become great,
And by me, monarchs have power in the land.
Anyone who holds any kind of responsibility needs to hear these words. This responsibility can be that of a king, a prince, or a nobleman; or it can be that of a parent, a teacher, or any kind of professional. The only way that one legitimately exercises his or her responsibility and authority is by wisdom.
Recall that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the respect, honour, and awe that is fitting to God. The fear of the Lord makes us humble since we see our smallness before the Almighty and it makes us strong since we place our trust and hope in Him.
This fear of the Lord, as the Psalmist says, hates unrighteousness, rudeness, arrogance, and the perverted ways of wickedness.
The fear of the Lord also grants us discernment which, ultimately, leads to wisdom.
This is the only way to exercise responsibility, power, and authority.
And all of us have some level of responsibility, whether small or great. Therefore, we all need wisdom. We all must fear the Lord, hate the ways of the wicked, and seek discernment and wisdom.