How to BE secure in a very daunting world!

Proverbs 14:26-27 Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. 

Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee. - Augustine

If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.- John Newton

Fear: not just reverence, not just terror. Fear in the Scriptures carries both ideas. We must never forget how Holy, Righteous, Just, and Superior to anything we understand God is. We do well to remember that only God holds the power to completely destroy us, that is not “scare tactics” it is wisdom. At the same time, we must not allow the enemy to make our view of God unbalanced, which our adversary loves to do. God also is the most Loving, Caring, Gracious, and Forgiving Being in the universe! Looking at only one side leads to a very wrong understanding of Who God is. If you look only at the Holy side – all mankind is lost and hopeless! We can never meet His standard of holiness. If you look only at His Loving and Forgiving side – God does not take sin seriously and it is “No big thing”! This will lead you to sloppy living and a very nonchalant attitude concerning sin, which in reality is deadly to our nature!

The balanced view not only helps us to be honest about our own sin but demonstrates our God for the incredible Being He is! 

He hates sin and it must be exposed and punished, yet He loves His creation and desires to redeem them from sin, and since they cannot do it for themselves, He accomplished the opportunity for them to be declared Holy by sacrificing Himself to pay that debt!    

This healthy fear produces several exciting and precious outcomes. The first one is “being”…not just “feeling” secure!

What does it mean to be secure? The original is מִבְטָח (mibtah) and is defined as: free from or not exposed to danger or harm; safe. “The building was secure, even in an earthquake.” Also 

free from care; without anxiety.

It is important to remember that most times in Scripture when God promises a great outcome, His view is the eternal one. To think that becoming a child of God guarantees safety, and freedom from danger in this world would be ludicrous! Scripture warns us that if we choose God, the world system and the demonic realm will come against us! They did it to the Son of God, so you can bank on difficulties in this “short” period of your life. What God frees us from is the “forever”! “Here and Now” is our time for growth, maturity, and eternal investment. Everything we learn and gain during our short time on earth will go with us as we join the Lord in eternity…only our sins, and failures will be left behind and forgotten! No fear of what happens after death is a very freeing experience! I don’t fear death, I am just nervous about dying. How will it happen and all that involves, yet my confidence is that He will be with me through it all.

We will look at the other outcomes next time. 

The So What: Do you enter sleep with a security and peace that if your body does not wake up, you will be fine? If you live close to God, you will sense assurance of Salvation. If you are struggling in your walk with God, the enemy will take advantage of that. No sin or failure you do will ever change what Jesus did, but your emotions will be affected, and you might feel insecure about your relationship with God. Don’t waste time arguing the theology, just repent and ask the Holy Spirit to control you. It really is that simple!