Jeeps – and the Fear of God

I’ve been contemplating the purchase of a convertible for a few years now.

When it comes to a large purchase, and being somewhat analytical, I do a lot of research.

I spent countless hours researching various makes and models, but ultimately couldn’t decide. Those I thought would be most reliable (the practical side of me), weren’t all that visually appealing (the vain side of me), and those I thought visually appealing didn’t seem that reliable.

So I gave up on the idea.

Then Brooks came along and I started thinking about it again. How fun would it driving an open air vehicle with him riding shotgun, wearing his favorite bandana and doggles!

“What about a Jeep Wrangler ,” I thought. After all I live in Texas and they’re as common as brisket on the menu. But I knew very little about Jeeps, and have only ridden in one a few times.

So back to YouTube University it was.

I’ve now spent quite a few hours watching reviews from Wrangler owners, and advice from auto mechanics who specialize in Jeeps. Which year models are most reliable? What engine? Hard top or soft top? Manual or automatic? Rubicon, Sahara, Willys, or Sport? Should the exterior be gray, charcoal, black, silver, brown, orange, green, yellow, or white? Solid, or two-tone? And it seems with a jeep interior you have a choice of either black, or faded-black. (there are more but they’re scarce) And then there’s price, miles, tire wear, etc.

After hours of research I applied my criteria to the “advance filter” in a few auto sales apps and came up with one…

In Zimbabwe, South Africa. (exaggeration for effect)

It seemed the only way I could get what I wanted in a Wrangler was to move the “MAX Price” slide a lot further to the right. Thought about it for a while, and then remembered I like to eat.

So I took Brooks for a walk, and within a few minutes it hit me.

The process of finding a Jeep was very similar to how I used to study Scripture.

I’d pick a word or phrase I wanted to study (topical), and using my Strongs Exhaustive Concordance I’d look up the location of every verse containing that word or phrase. The Bible Dictionary gave me the definition(s), and my Commentaries provided the review.

As I share in the video, I would challenge you to do the following…

Look up the phrase “fear of God” in your bible app, and do an exhaustive study. If you want to narrow your search, start in the book of Proverbs.

What does it mean? What does it do? Is there a benefit if we do? A consequence if we don’t? Am I to reverence God? Be afraid of God? Does it come with a backup camera?

You may be surprised how often the phrase appears, and what is promised to those who do.

And here’s a Pro Tip…

To fully appreciate this spiritual truth, you’ll want to clear that MAX Price filter.

Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”