Every day, almost 300,000 men become first time fathers. There are a lot of questions and fears that come with being a dad for the first time, or second, or third for that matter. There is a lot of conflicting information and images in our culture of what it means to be a dad, or a man.
I was thinking, "What would be the most important thing to tell a dad?  Or a man?" I believe the answer to those questions would be to fear the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (or wisdom). Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" I love this definition of fearing the Lord.  Fearing God means to walk in his ways, to love him, to serve him and to observe his commands.  That's what men to hear and practice. That's what a first time dad needs to know.
Psalm 112 was written by a man - a man after God's own heart; David.  In this Psalm he details the blessing men gain as they fear the Lord. Here's a verse by verse look at this Psalm.
Verse 1 - Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.  Fearing the Lord is delighting in his commands.
Verse 2 - His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Fearing God is good for your children.
Verses 3-4 - Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Fearing God brings richness (don't just think money) and light into your home.
Verse 5 - Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Fearing God brings justice to our conduct. Kids need to see good character and conduct.
Verses 6-8 - Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. Fearing God will make us confident men.
Verse 9 - He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. Fearing God will make us generous men.
Verse 10 - The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing. There is a huge difference between the longings of a man without God and a man who fears God.
Whether your a grandpa, a dad, a first time dad or a man who someday will be a dad, take this to heart - Blessed is the man who fears the Lord!