Are You Afraid?

I have started studying the book of Proverbs in preparation for a bible study with a friend of mine. In the first chapter, I am already swimming in great "stuff"!
Our pastor said in a sermon many Sundays past that "wisdom is what you ought to do based on how the world works". I don't know if those are his words or another person's, but I like it!
In Chapter 1, the first few verses point out the purpose of Proverbs: attaining wisdom, discipline, insight, prudence, knowledge and discretion for the young, and for the wise (aka old people could be added here, or maybe not) to add to their learning. I don't know about you but I could use a bit or a lot of all those! But maybe that is just me.
In verse 7 is his first point and the one that I am camping on this morning.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
As I roll around in my head what does a "fear" of the Lord mean, I come up with a lot of thoughts but nothing I can put in five words or less. However what a statement to start a book on wisdom!
If we do not have fear of the Lord then the Bible essential means nothing to us. Why follow one word of it? Why read it? Why attend church or worship at all? If we do not fear the Lord then why do we even care what He said? I think it is safe to say that if you do not have fear of the Lord than you wouldn't give one iota to any of it.
And I think that is precisely what has happened in our world. We, as a whole, have taken God out of everything possible and even taken Him out of those things not possible. We thumb our nose at Him and turn our backs at His word all in the name of "We have it under control. We don't need you. Mentioning your name offends others." We have done this without so much as a thought as to whom it truly offends: God, himself! There is no fear of the Lord in our world, in our government, in our schools, or in our communities.
I read an article about a well known atheist who is dying of cancer. He continues to not believe in God and his response to those believers who write to him to let him know they are praying for him is this, "Pray for me if it will make you feel better but do not pray on my account."
It blows my mind. To be on your deathbed and believe that Jesus Christ, the almighty powerful healer and savior, has nothing to over you. It moves me to tears.
Sorry, Charlie Daniels, this world doesn't need a few more rednecks. It needs a healthy dose of "fear of the Lord".