In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. – Proverbs 14:26
When parents hold their newborn, their greatest desire is to see their baby thrive in all ways, in all the days of their lives. Today’s verse shows how you can build a refuge about them to protect them from those things that will harm them. And this protection is the fear of the Lord.
This verse is not talking about the fear you have when you watch a horror movie or being afraid God will zap you over sin. It is the reverential fear, a deep and devoted respect that elicits a desire to please Him, worship Him, and draw as near to Him as possible. In prayer, you provide a refuge for your children by praying for their total well-being, spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially. Then too, when speaking of influencing children, it is often said that more is caught than taught. When young people see you living a reverential life, they will be inclined to do the same thing and raise their own children to do likewise.
Be confident in the Lord, and continue to pray for your children. Believe that He is answering your prayers, regardless of how circumstances currently appear. Pray for administrators in schools, leaders in social media, and government officials to align themselves with God and have a positive influence on children. Pray for Christian art, music, and media to have an increasingly constructive impact on today’s children and young people. Pray for freedom of speech and religion to be preserved in the United States, especially in schools, the military, and in public places.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
