Fear no Human, Trust in God

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare . . ." -- Proverbs 29:25a, NIV

For fear of man Lot offered his daughters to Sodom's sex-crazed men, Abraham lied about Sarah (calling his wife his sister), Isaac denied his wife and gave her to Abimelech, Saul forfeited his kingdom, the Israelite army stood paralyzed for 40 days before Goliath, the royal officials at the gate of king Xerxes knelt down and paid honor to the jew-hating Haman, young captives ate the desecrated food at king Nebuchadnezzar's table, Judas betrayed his Teacher and Friend, Peter denied his Lord three times, the disciples deserted Jesus, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles . . .

What foolish deeds!
What misplaced fear!

You and I, my friend, continue on the same idiotic path when we persist on altering our behavior solely because of what someone might say, think, or do to us. We adopt and adapt to another person's tastes, preferences, and philosophies because we fear offending them -- not even taking the time to genuinely assess and come to understand our true identity.

" . . . but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." -- Proverbs 29:25b, NIV

The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, to trust in Him, to surrender to YHWH, to relinquish all control to Him from dawn to dusk and throughout the night. True wisdom is attained when we realize it is not sound to fear those who can kill the body and after that can do not an iota more. Peace is found when we learn to be still and know that the Lord of hosts is God. He is the One whom we are invited to fear, to revere, to honor, to serve, to heed, and to love always.

How often do you and I turn God's glory into shame?
How long will you and I love delusions and seek false gods?
How often do you and I blindly opt not to contend for our faith?
How long will you and I try to cover our tracks for fear of getting caught?
How often do you and I imbibe the syrupy lies of unfaithfulness and idolatry?

We walk onward upon this deadly terrain because we fail to realize human beings have but breath in their nostrils. We need not fear them and seek their approval or recognition. The Lord is the One whom we need to seek and acknowledge. His opinion is that which matters.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" -- Romans 8:31, NIV

That, my friend, is sound faith.

May our love and respect for YHWH be more than the morning mist, more than the early dew that disappears, but may they endure forever!