"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE - FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT THE FEAR OF THE LORD"
Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
These verses are of course from God's book of Wisdom for living. The Proverbs. And in these two verses, there are 4 wonderful truths about what the fear is, and the blessings of walking in the fear of the Lord.
1. In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence. Or to say it another way, those who walk in the fear of the LORD are secure. We live in a world filled with an enemy. The devil, and his demons. They are against the Lord, the people who know and follow the Lord. When we walk in respect and reverence, awe and submission to God's will, we find ourselves with a strong confidence day by day, and we are secure.
Jeremiah 17:7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
2. And, His children will have a place of refuge. This verse is telling us that God is that place of refuge. God Himself is our refuge. A place of safety from danger. Psalm 142:5 Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Isaiah 25:4 But to the poor, O LORD, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
3. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life. Here is another benefit that comes from the fear of the Lord. What a beautiful word picture this is for us. A fountain of life. God meets the thirsts in our lives as we walk in the fear of the Lord. He quenches our thirst. Being satisfied when thirsty is so comforting. Psalm 36:9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
4. The fear of the LORD will turn one away from the snares of death. When a person walks in, and lives in the fear of the Lord, one of the primary effects and benefits is, that person will be turned away from the snares of death. Snares are traps that catch a person into sin. One can't see them. But, when one is looking up to God in worship, He is the light that shines to the safe path of life. In other words, the fear of the Lord offers escape from the snares of death.
Some questions:
1. Do you believe at this time in your life, You are finding God to be that place of refuge and shelter?
2. If so, would You take just a moment to say "Thank You Lord for Your protection in my life.
3. How would you describe to someone what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord? Is that something you feel comfortable with, and believe you understand what it means?
4. The fear of the Lord keeps us from the snares of death. Can you think of times you have felt ensnared by death and sin? What a joy to realize that God Himself will keep you from those snares as You walk in the fear of the Lord.
A prayer:
Father, Your Book of Wisdom, the Book of Proverbs is always a blessing to read. Thank You for showing us how to live on a practical day to day basis. You address almost every area of life in these 31 chapters. Please give us that hunger to take Your Word, read it, study it, believe it, and put it into practice. Again, thank You Father. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
