For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:—Proverbs 1:29
A reporter saw Jim Taylor, star running back on the Green Bay Packers football team standing in the team’s hotel lobby more than 45 minutes before the bus was scheduled to take the team to the stadium for a playoff game. “Why are you here so early, Jim?” he asked. “I don’t want to get left at the hotel,” the Hall of Fame running back answered. The Packers were coached by Vince Lombardi, and soon after his arrival in Green Bay, he instituted a schedule that came to be known as “Lombardi Time.” He would announce the start of a practice or the departure time for an event, only to begin early—leaving those who showed up “on time” behind or critiquing them for being late.
The essence of Lombardi Time is that if you were not fifteen minutes “early” you were late. In honor of the famed coach, the clock at Lambeau Field that faces Lombardi Avenue is still set fifteen minutes ahead! Lombardi was known as a fierce disciplinarian, and his players were expected to comply with his rules without question or argument. Despite his great talent, Jim Taylor was more afraid of disappointing his coach than of almost anything else.
Many people in our society today view God casually. This is not just true in the world, but sadly this attitude has infected the church as well. Despite this tide of neglect of the character and nature of God, we must make another choice—to swim against the current and maintain our fear of the Lord in recognition of His holiness. When Isaiah saw a glimpse of God’s throne in Heaven he said, “Woe is me! for I am undone…for mine eyes have seen the King” (Isaiah 6:5). Make it your choice to maintain a holy fear of God.
Make the choice to fear God and you will be protected from many dangers.–From “Daily in the Word”
