“In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
September 9, 2026
We hear a lot of talk about finding a safe place. Whether it’s school, work, recreation, or conversations in general, a generation is being told of the importance of safe places. But safe from what? Those who disagree with us or being exposed to assertions of what is true and not true? Wisdom tells us that the safest place in the world is obedience to God. Shout it from the roof tops, the fear of the Lord is when God awes us we find security from the attacks of evil. The controlling principle in the book of Proverbs is the fear of the Lord (19 times in Proverbs). God-fearing people will fall all over themselves trying to please God. God is not to be trifled with. Aslan, the lion, in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, spoke wisdom; “God is good, but God is not safe.” What do we fear? It is rightly said that sinful fears are inverted cravings. Am I afraid of not being liked? Is worship acceptance hiding in the bushes? Drawing near to God is the safest place in the world.
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What do I want to avoid at all costs? Death? Discomfort? Being rejected? Loss of control? Ill health?
Think about how sinful fears can tip me off as to what I long for.