Finding True Security (Proverbs 14)

Security – it’s a strange concept at one level.

When you have it you’re unaware of it. When you’re aware of not having it you crave it desperately.

The ideal would be to know you need it, actually have it, and then be confident enough in it that it doesn’t occupy your mind constantly. Ideally security would be the base that keeps you sane, helps you face a world that is fallen, and enables you to then engage with love for those around you. 

This verse from Proverbs 14 caught my attention this morning:

“Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”

(Proverbs 14:26 NIV11)

We need to get this ‘fear’ thing sorted first. In the context of the Scriptures the fear of the Lord is a statement of reverence. It puts the ‘awe’ back into awesome. To fear God is to know Him as the Holy Creator of the Universe, the Judge of all Humanity, and the Sustainer of each day and every life. *That* God is truly worthy of our worship and that’s the idea of ‘fear’ here. We aren’t afraid of Him but we are reverent before Him.

With that in place, the LORD can indeed be a secure fortress. Those who choose to bow the knee of worship before – who know Him as Mighty – are invited by Jesus to pray to Him as Father,

“He said to them, “When you pray, say:   

“ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 

 Give us each day our daily bread.

 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 

And lead us not into temptation. ’ ””

(Luke 11:2–4 NIV11)

This God will provide daily bread and forgiveness for those who receive Him as Saviour and Lord. Having God as our Father, to know ourselves as His children, is of course our true security.

This second line, “and for their children it will be a refuge,” is also intriguing. I was watching a movie the other night where the earth was facing a cataclysmic end. As it drew near one of the characters recalled his church upbringing and prayed for those assembled around the table. It was a surprising scene and reminded me that being raised in a house that fears the Lord is a great start for kids. It’s no guarantee that they will walk the path of faithfulness, but at the very least they have heard of the name of the Lord and He can be a refuge if only they would turn to Him.

The security for the Christian is not found in our door locks, our remote cameras, or the bite of our dogs. The fortress of the Christian is Christ Himself – our forever guarantee is secured by our forever Priest and Saviour;

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

(Hebrews 6:19–20 NIV11)

Today I hope that as COVID swirls around us we know where to look for our true security and that you will settle with the calm confidence of one inside the four foot thick walls of the fortress of our mighty God.

Grace and peace,

Stuart.

#newlifeisfoundhere #readingfornewlife #wisdom #proverbs