Fearful and Faithful to the Lord

DAILY READING

Proverbs 28:1-28

REFLECTION

Fear or Courage

by Mary McGinnis

If you were to talk the pulse of your life right now, how would you characterize it? Scan your thoughts, the word you have said in the past 24 hours, the actions you have taken.  What do you find there? Anxiety, fear, and worry? Or hopefulness, boldness, and courage? 

The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon. When Solomon was succeeding to the throne of his father David, God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” Solomon was young, inexperienced, and feeling quite overwhelmed. So, he asked God for wisdom.

Do you ever feel like you need some wisdom? We have so many choices to make, decisions that can lead to good results or end badly. If you are like me, I think, “If only I had the magic answer, that clear sign from Heaven that shows which way to go. Then I would not be fearful. Then I would boldly step forward in faith in the right direction and not look back.”

Solomon paints a different picture in today’s reading.  He charts out the path beginning in verse 1 of Proverbs 28. 

Evil fed by fear                        versus         Courage fueled by Faith/Trust

The wicked flee though no one pursues,       but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

 Let’s all admit it, we all fall prey to fear. What is driving that fear? The fear of loss, of being hurt, of feeling regret, of being ashamed for being found lacking? When fear begins to take root in our hearts, we will constantly be looking over our shoulder. Like a fugitive constantly on the run, we distrust and devalue people, keep them at a distance, continuously on the lookout for ways to protect ourselves at any cost. Fear makes tyrants of us. 

The remedy? Faith. Sounds simple, right? When we stop trying to be “wise in our own eyes,” we quickly see how poor and deluded this vain pursuit for self-based wisdom is.  It's like looking for a treasure in a garbage dump.

Only those who entrusts themselves to the Living God - the One who shed His blood for them on the cross – can live and love boldly. Only those who know their righteousness is in Him who has washed them clean can stand courageously in the face of any circumstance.

 

Evil fed by fear                        versus         Courage fueled by Faith/Trust

 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

                                                                       but the one who confesses and renounces                                                                             them finds mercy.

 

                                                                        Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Lord, search my heart this day.  What is fueling my thoughts, words, and actions today? How can I release my fears into Your hands right now?  Forgive me, wash me clean and make me righteous in Your sight.  Fill me with Your Mighty, Powerful Holy Spirit, so that I can boldly live my life in loving devotion to You by courageously loving others.  

Prayer Practice

Cup Prayer – This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture again and listen as God shares His heart back with you.