Proverbs 9:10–11
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. NIV
There’s a phrase there in those words that has always attracted me with a peculiar kind of attraction. It’s the phrase, “the knowledge of the Holy One.” Somehow, that pictures to me a place in fellowship and relationship with God where we come to know God as He really is. And when we come to know God in that way, we find, indeed, He is the Holy One. Holiness is an attribute of God that is not really shared in the same degree by any of His creatures. I believe that the ultimate end of life is to know God, the Holy One. I believe, in knowing God, there comes wisdom and there comes also the temporal blessings of life, but it has to be in the right order. We don’t pursue the blessings, the temporal, but we pursue the knowledge of the Holy One. And then he says to us: “Through me your days will be many and years will be added to your life.” Make that your aim – make it your aim to know God. Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” Out of that knowledge flows life, life in abundance, life for time and life for eternity.
—Derek Prince