"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FEAR OF SUDDEN TROUBLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FEAR OF SUDDEN TROUBLE"

Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

Some explanatory thoughts, a application, and a prayer:

1. God gave us the Book of Proverbs to know how to live our lives down here on earth, to understand how to deal with the practical things of life. So, in one sense, Proverbs is a very practical book, teaching us about the day to day things that we deal with, and how to deal with them, with God's wisdom and His promises.

2. One of the fears we can have, is being "afraid". And, it means to tremble, dreadful, to make afraid. And, what this verse says in Proverbs 3:25, is "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes" So, God says, when trouble does come suddenly, and often it does come that way, suddenly, or in a moment, quickly, or unexpectedly, at an instant, God says, do not tremble and be fearful.

3. Now, take another look at the verse, and see the 2nd thing the Lord says about trouble. Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; Much trouble that comes into our lives, and into this world finds it's way on to the stage of our lives, from those who are wicked.

A wicked person in the Bible is defined as someone who is ungodly, a criminal, someone who is hostile to God, and guilty of sin, and against God or man. How simply true is it, that when a person is like this, they become an instrument to bring or cause trouble. I'm sure you have experienced trouble coming from people like this. You may in fact have been one of those people before God so mercifully saved you out of darkness. He takes trouble makers, and makes them peace makers. Bringing God's peace to troubled souls.

4. But, putting this verse together, or simply looking at it again, and seeing what it says, it says, Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; And, God then gives us a reason why we do not have to be afraid. It's found in the next verse in Proverbs 3:26. Here it is. Proverbs 3:26 for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. This turns us from the trouble and the terror that can come suddenly, and tells us two things about God in our lives.

(1) The LORD is your security. Or your hope. This actually means, flank, as in it's military usage, to guard you and to protect you.

(2) He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Now, He is the ultimate keeper of His people. He knows what traps the wicked set, and if You will not be afraid, but trust in Him, and obey Him, that is, follow Him, He will keep you safe and sound from the wicked and their traps.

5. In fact, there is a beautiful verse just before 3:25, and here it is. Proverbs 3:24 You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. However, knowing that this is true, I can tell you that I have gone to bed many, many times, very afraid of the wicked. But, You know what? When I woke up in the morning, I was safe and sound.

The Lord was watching over me through the night. I served in Vietnam ( 1967 ) in the Marine Corps and had many experiences like this. But, at that time I did not know the Lord. Let me tell you something else, even as a Christian, since 1973, I've still gone to bed and been afraid, but woke up safe and sound. And, I've also as the verse said, gone to bed in complete peace, without fear and enjoyed pleasant dreams, the most pleasant have been about the Lord, and about His Word.

A prayer:

Father, You are our shelter, our protector, our high tower, our deliverer, the one who watches over us, the one who gives us such wonderful promises like the one's in this devo. Thank You for Your Word. Help us Lord to believe You, for it's in the believing, and in the obeying that Your great peace takes over in our souls, and sends out the fear, and makes it go away.
May we believe You today, and may we act upon Your Word, In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.