Proverbs 29:25 AMP
[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
Similar to our reflections yesterday, we are again reminded that there is a good fear with a great ending, and a bad fear with a terrible ending. The foundation of each type of fear is laid on the focus, allegiance and daily reflections of the heart. What do I spend time consuming? What occupies my heart most of the time? What are those thoughts that settle upon my heart and are able to hold attention for a while? These are the things to be careful about. I cannot afford to let just anything or anyone hold my heart captive. Whatever you continually give your heart to will eventually become master of your heart. Who sits at the control centre of your heart?
The bad fear is the fear of man. This is where man can dictate your pursuits and priorities. It is not a bad thing to respect man; after all, it is God's command that we obey authority, and there are kings and rulers to direct the affairs of man. The problem usually comes from the unhealthy subservient behaviour of man, where we elevate man over and above the God who should be feared and worshipped. I must keep checking my heart, to be sure that it is not being enticed by the false images of power and influence that the world seeks to promote. The problem with the fear of man is that what you feared today will change the next day, either in form or target.
How do you keep reminding yourself the reason for your fear, if it keeps changing? If it is not the fear of sickness, it could be the fear of earthquakes or storms. The fallen human nature is now prone to the attacks of the devil and he is smart; he has been in the business of fear since man fell. He will magnify the problem to seem bigger than the God who made me, and if I fall into his trap, he will keep me focused on the size of the problem. I need to check my heart; who is bigger: the Creator Himself, or any of His creation? He who made me knows all about me, and nothing catches Him by surprise when it comes to me. Why would the created hold that much power over me?
To trust in God is to have focused attention on God, to the total exclusion of all other options. You cannot keep God at the center of your heart, as well as any other authority. It will not work. The verse above challenges us to trust in and put our confidence in the Lord. It does not mean that things will always work out the way we want them to, but we have the confidence and assurance that, in the hands of God, it always works out well in the end. The reward of such investment is that you are exalted above all the schemes of the devil, and safe from all alarm. Who can offer you anything better or higher? Can I trust Him with my life? God's time of favour is here.
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