7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”
Proverbs 29:25 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Have you ever known a person who was afraid of someone else? Maybe it was a child who was afraid of the class bully, or it was the wife who was afraid of her abusive husband, or it was the employee who was afraid of her boss who placed unrealistic demands on his employees and whimsically fired those who didn’t measure up.
As you observed that fearful person, you would have noticed a “fight or flight” response. In some of them, fear led them to anger. Yet, as their anger showed up in words and actions, it then caused as many problems as did their fear. In the other half of them, fear caused behaviors of retreat. It squelched the person’s personality and they simply hoped not to be seen or noticed as they cowered in the shadows.
When we are afraid of someone, it can do really bad things inside of us and cause us to act in ways that are not healthy or right. So, Proverbs 29:25 rightfully says that “the fear of mankind is a snare.”
But the Proverb doesn’t finish there. It provides us with an alternative to the fear of people.
Proverbs 29:25 (CSB): “The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”
This Proverb would have us realize that when we fear people, it will bring about bad things. But, when we trust the Lord in those circumstances, we are “protected.” What does that mean?
The Hebrew word for “protected” means “exalted” or “inaccessible high.” It means that we are so high up that the trouble can’t get to us.
But, then we ask: “Well, what does that mean? After all, Job grappled with the presence of trouble in the book that bears his name. Further, King David grappled with why trouble happened to him in the Psalms. So, what is the promise or hope in Proverbs 29:25?”
Simply put, the one who trusts (rests) in the Lord’s protective care realizes that absolutely nothing can happen to them unless God wills it or allows us.
One such instance in which we see this principle play out is when Jesus told the Apostle Peter that “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). Who did Satan ask? The Lord, of course! Peter was in such a high and lofty place, protected by the Lord, that Satan could do absolutely nothing to him without getting the Lord’s permission.
Friend, this principle is true of the Apostle Peter and it is true of you. It is true of Satan and it is true of those who would cause fear to arise within us. Sure, others can hurt us. They can hurt us badly. And there are principles in God’s Word where realize that we are free to get ourselves out of a situation that could inflict harm (see passages like Matthew 24:14-21).
Yet, the truth remains clear that absolutely nothing can happen to one of God’s children without it passing through His loving hands first.
- So, trust in Him. Rest in His care for you.
- Use your common sense and get out of dangerous situations if you believe it is the Christ-honoring thing to do.
- Spend much time in prayer, asking for the Lord to keep the evil one from you (Matthew 6:13).
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Lord Jesus, thank You that I am protected. Nothing can happen to me without it going through my Heavenly Father’s hands. And even then I am promised that He has determined to work the bad things out for my ultimate good, to make me more like You as you have said in Romans 8:28-29. But, Lord, it is one thing to believe this in my mind and it’s quite another to believe it in my heart. Help my unbelief. As I determine to rest in You, especially when I would ordinarily be afraid of others, please give me an added measure of faith to trust (rest) in You. Thank you. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 
Very good morning devotion. Thank you and God bless you.
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Thank you, Paul.
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