Posted on 12/14/2020 3:18:37 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27).
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence,” yes, it is. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). He lays his head down on his pillow at night with full confidence of his heavenly home. When death comes, God will stand by him, the angels will carry him off to his reward. Folks filled with pride have a false confidence, but those that are saved have a true conviction of their eternal destiny.
If we don’t have any confidence, then we don’t have any stability. The issue is whether our confidence is in ourselves which is a foundation of sand, or in His promises, which are solid. We have stability because we are confident. People without confidence vacillate because they have no true identity. They don’t know who they are or what they are.
Who are we? At one time we were Adam. Those that are born into this world are born into Adam and all he knew was death. When we are born again we are the new Adam—we are in Jesus Christ. We were once of the old nature, now we are of the new: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). Now, “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence.” Amen!
Just go back and study Adam and you will know who you are if you are without Christ. You are a fallen creation of God. And like Adam, God is seeking you to redeem you. You are being sought after by God Himself. You are a sinful, wicked individual and God is trying to save you from hell. He would have you to be a new creature in Christ—but you have to want it and receive it. God can die for you, but He can’t get saved for you.
“. . . and his children shall have a place of refuge,” the Lord’s children have a place of refuge. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1). Heaven will one day be our place of refuge.
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,” it brings provision. The fear of the Lord provides for us—it is a fountain of life. It not only gives us confidence, but it provides for a the way to depart from the snares of death. Death traps people—ensnares them. “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins” (Proverbs 5:22). “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,” it shows you where to find life. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Why does a man believe on Christ? Because he doesn’t want to go to hell and pay for his sins—let Jesus Christ pay for them.
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