Today's Devotional Thought
October 02, 2012 by Rachel Piferi
Feeling Safe
What makes you feel safe? Is it the money in your bank account? Is it the relationships in your life? Is it your education? Is it your job or your house?
Is it God?
When we look at basic human needs, the need to feel safe and secure is among the most vital. After food and water, feeling safe and secure is something that is considered basic to psychological and physical survival. In fact, researchers have shown that the need to feel safe is present nearly from birth and when someone doesn’t feel safe and secure early in life, it can affect them into adulthood.
Feeling safe and secure is a real need and it is one that God is very aware that we have. In fact, I believe that it is a basic human need that God placed in us. But, I believe that it is a basic human need that God wants directed at him only, nothing (or no one) else.
Throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Solomon is clear about where our safety and security comes from. In Proverbs 14:26, he writes, “He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.??? In Proverbs 18:10, he writes, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.??? And again in Proverbs 19:23, Solomon writes, “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.???
I think it is fascinating to read what Solomon has to say about safety and security because he had it all and because he had it all was uniquely qualified to talk about where true security came from. He was the richest, wisest, most well respected man and King of Israel and he repeatedly says throughout the book of Ecclesiastes that it all was meaningless. And at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes this: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil??? (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
As you read through these passages from Solomon and many other passages in the Bible, there is a consistent phrase that is used when talking about feeling safe and secure: Fear the Lord. We see it in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. We see it throughout Deuteronomy as God repeatedly tells the Israelites to trust and follow him. We see it in Isaiah and other places.
So, according to Solomon and others, how do you find true safety and security in this world?
By fearing God.
But what does it mean to fear God?
As I researched this phrase throughout many different passages of the Bible, it was clear that the word fear in this case means to respect and revere. And, so often when we see the phrase, “Fear God,??? we also see the phrase “and keep his commands.??? Deuteronomy 8:6 says, “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.??? Deuteronomy 10:12 tells us, “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.??? Deuteronomy 13:4 says, “You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.???
So, how do we feel safe and secure in this world?
I believe that Isaiah 33:6 says it best: “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.??? Fearing God by loving, obeying, and following his commands is the key to security. Will it be an easy road? No, it won’t. But, you can rest on this sure foundation when the troubles and uncertainty of this world come.
Solomon was right: everything in this world will pass away. And, to rely on our bank accounts, our jobs, our relationships, our reputation, or our skills to keep us safe and secure is foolish. All of those things can fail and will pass away. But, God is unfailing and he will never pass away. And, fearing Him and seeking him and obeying him are key to a safe and sure foundation in this world.
Friends, don’t look to things of this world for your security. Look to and serve the only one who truly can make you feel safe: our unfailing, everlasting, almighty God.
December