Confidence

 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
Proverbs 14:26 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.14.26.ESV

Fear and confidence might seem like an oxymoron. Yet if we fear the Lord, we won't need to fear anything else. If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the love of God is the eternal end of wisdom.

The fear of the Lord isn't the kind of fear that makes us run away. It's the kind of fear a child has to not want to disappoint their parent. It's not just the fear of punishment, but the fear of causing displeasure to a loved one.

The proverbs are general truths. They're not cast iron promises. Sadly there's no guarantee that the biological children of believers will come to faith.

If, like me, someone grows up in a Christian home, they'll likely have a secure upbringing, a refuge of a home from the storms of life. I think there's a spiritual application to this verse too. If we help to birth faith in someone's heart, they'll find refuge in God.

'O Lord God Almighty, may we fear You as we ought. Please instil confidence in us, and may our successors find refuge in You. In Jesus' name, amen'

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