Fear of the Lord = Life - Proverbs 14
Just think about all the stuff that's going on in the world around us right now.
Politicians exchange accusations and the media reports with "spin" and with bias. People are divided as to who they believe.
Countries in the middle East are demanding their rights and forcing their opinions with rockets and bombs. Nations are split in how it should be dealt with.
Left-wing extremists verbally duke it out with right-wing radicals. Talk radio and newspaper media battle to make their point leaving the public spinning with wonder as to who is right.
Everyone has their own opinions about what happens and if you're like me, you have trouble figuring out how someone else can think like they do or believe what they do. How can people think that abortion is okay? How can people think that to leave Iraq right now is the right choice? How can people demand a cross be taken down from a historic war memorial? But, the people who share these confusing paradigms must also be thinking the same thing about me - or they would say nothing.
Today's reading has a verse that jumped off the page to me:
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.So, who's right? I certainly don't claim to have all the right answers. I'm sure that if I'm standing before my Maker on the Day of Judgement that I will not receive a reward for the smartest man on earth. How are we to react to all this? How does someone cut through all the bias, the evil influence, the hidden agendas and get to the Truth? Look at verses 26 & 27:
26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.The world is continuously spirilaing towards certain suffering and eventual death. Our own bodies are slowly wasting away. The only hope we have for us and our children is the fear of the Lord.
Feel like you need to do something? Pray. I know it sounds to some like a meaningless thing you resort to when you can't think of something substantial to do. But, there is power in prayer. God answers prayer. When faced with controversy, we need our answers from the Lord, not Fox, ABC, NBC, CNN, IRS, ACLU, NAACP, NFL, NBA or EIEIO.
Don't fear what's happening in the world around you. Rather, fear the Lord. Not fear as in tremble and shake, but as in put your cares on Him, live for Him, trust Him. He is a fountain of life for you and your children.
peace,
e
