Safe!

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 29-30

Scripture Focus: The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Proverbs 29:25

Devotional Thought: Fear is often addressed in the Bible.  God has desired from the beginning that we would trust him wholly, without fear or anxiety in our hearts.  With the fall of God’s perfect creation and the introduction of sin into the world, the hearts of men turned away from the Lord, and mankind has been struggling against one of our soul’s greatest enemies: fear.

The Israelites, surrounded by miraculous rescues, provisions, and encounters with God, still struggled with fear.  When Jesus came to the world, his disciples kept on fearing.  As we live in the “in-between” time before Jesus comes back again, we fear as well.  Will I be able to raise godly children in a godless world?  Pay my debtors?  Be free from addiction?  Fear seems to be a normal way of life, even for believers at times.

Why should we regard fear as a serious threat?  Fear is rooted in distrust of the Lord.  When we trust in the Lord, we are safe.  We have assurance that He hears our prayers, and we trust that He is sovereign over every detail of our lives.  But don’t take my word for it!  In Philippians 4:6, Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Jesus says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?” (Matt. 6:27).  “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship…” (Rom. 8:15).  “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear,” (1 John 4:18).  We have a blessed Savior who has set us free from the bondage of fear and given us safety in His name.

Jenny

Prayer:  Father, thank you for freeing us from the fear that so easily captures our hearts.  Help us to fix our eyes on you in times where fear threatens us, remembering that we are safe in Your arms.

Psalm of the Day:  1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! (Psalms 105:1-6)