A POWERFUL PROVERB

 

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (ESV)

             While we may wish that this verse promised that we would never have hard times, I think we all know better. Jesus never promised an easy life. Instead, He said, “... In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 ESV) So, what do we make of the last part of this verse? Here I think that Romans 8 is most instructive:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 ESV)

First, no trial or tribulation can ultimately overtake us, but rather, we are overcomers and conquerors through Jesus Christ. Secondly, if we are children of God, no harm or evil can separate us from God’s love or pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28-29).

But, all of this depends on the first part of Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied…” First and foremost, acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what gives us the hope of eternal life. Then, it is in acknowledging God for Who He is and trusting in His sovereignty that we are able to find abundant life and “rest satisfied” that no matter what trials come, God will carry us through.  So, today, my encouragement is to remember  the hope of Proverbs 19:23, and supplement that with Jeremiah 29:11-13:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV)

   

In His grip,  

Pastor Decker