The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
We have chatted many times throughout our study about the fear of the Lord; and how by putting our faith and trust in Him we find happiness and contentment. Today we are going to talk about human fear.
So what are you afraid of? Seriously, what scares you to death? I am one of these people that are not afraid of many things. I will hike alone in the woods at all hours of the day and night--but I fear being alone in the city.
I love storms. I don't fear thunder, lightning or even tornadoes even though I've lived in tornado alley all my life. I don't fear rain, but I do fear the ocean.
This verse goes a bit deeper than these silly little 'surface' fears I think. When I see the word 'evil' I immediately think of Satan and his schemes. There are deeper things that sometimes I do fear. Like the path this country is taking. I fear that someday my children will be persecuted for their beliefs. But then I shake myself a bit and remind myself that God is in control. It is my job to teach my children how to put on and use their armor. Then it is my job to place them in God's hands. I think a bit of healthy fear is good...it's good to fear the path our country is taking; because it reminds us to be anxiously watching for Him to return.
Anyway...there are so many things to fear. I remember when there were tough times in my life, at night I would imagine myself cuddled in my Abba Fathers arms. I don't know what it's like to be cuddled and loved by an earthly father, but that's ok because it probably pales in comparison to the warmth and security I feel when I place myself in my Father's care.
In close here is a fun matching game for you. Match the reference that talks about fear to the sentences below:
John 16:33, Proverbs 3: 5-6, Isaiah 41:13, Matthew 6:25-7:29, Psalm 23:1-6
1. God holds our hand and says, "Fear not".
2. Don't trust yourself. Lean on God and what he has shown you. If you do that you will remain on the straight path He has shown you.
3. This world is full of trials and tribulations, but God has overcome the world and we find peace in Him.
4. I will fear no evil...
5. Don't worry about what you will wear or what you will eat...
Fear can be a healthy thing but it can also debilitate us. We really have to learn to trust in God when satan's attacks come in our weakest moments.
ReplyDeleteFear for our country can also remind us to pray for our leaders.
My past year has been a lesson in trusting God! When he decides to close a door he can miraculously open new ones.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange, I am terrified of snakes and mice, but not the ordinary things a woman usually is afraid of. I have an irrational fear of driving somewhere I've never been and am not used to, but I've learned to grasp onto God's strength and move on with it. (mostly) After all, I can't expect someone to drive me everywhere, now can I? And maybe I should be, but I'm not afraid of the future, or of what is going on in our world, because I know GOD IS IN CONTROL. Yes, we need to bring it all to Him in prayer, and yes we need to do our part to live a righteous life and lead others to do so, but in the end, His will prevails. Nothing happens that he doesn't allow.
ReplyDeleteNow, after saying that, I have to qualify it by saying that I do tend to fret a little from time to time. Ha!
Great post, Tonya - those are five super Scriptures to remember, too. Maybe we should all choose one to memorize... :) I, too, think about the future of our country with some apprehension - but as has been said, that's a good reason to pray for our leaders, and it's also great to remind us our Lord is in control!
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