By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: LIVING WITHOUT FEAR
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1:33
“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
REFLECTIONS:
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals that God desires humankind to live, enjoy eternal life, and maintain an everlasting relationship with Him. Around this expectation, God has put measures in place that could keep people on course. The many instructions in the Bible are never meant to burden us, but they serve as a guide to uprightness and holy living that culminates in a perfect destination.
Solomon has a lot of wise counsel – pieces of advice, convicting statements, thought-provoking ideas, insightful concepts, and eye-opening nuggets for a guide to anyone who wants to live a decent, God-approved life. Older people have gone through life and gained enormous experience over the years, and many will not repeat the course they took if they have another chance. Therefore, the youth always have the advantage of receiving appropriate instructions for life so they can get it right from the very onset. Unfortunately, these are the same people Satan targets to get them to be disobedient, truant, disrespectful, and even find older people’s counsel to be boring and old-fashioned. What needs to be emphasized is that the principles of life remain the same – they never get old – archaic, obsolete, or fade off. True life principles are fast, firm, unchangeable, and consequential.
Anyone who desires knowledge and wisdom should go to the Bible. Apply what you read from its inspiring pages and endeavor to maintain the relationship it will establish with God for you. Proverbs 1:33 says, “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” Who in their right senses would not like to dwell in safety? Who wants to live under insecurity? Nobody! Generally, we have an uncompromising desire for safety, security, protection, care, and prosperity. Today, if you listen to God’s instructions, you will find life and live a meaningful life. In reality, you will fear no evil because God’s angels will encompass you (Psalm 34:7) and minister to you (Hebrews 1:14). The Message Bible’s rendition of Proverbs 1:33 is intriguing. It says, “First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy – you’re in good hands.” – Beautiful!
Psalms 16:8-9 concludes, “[8]I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. [9]Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.” In God, you will dwell in safety. You will see danger, but you will not be scared – you will fear no evil – because your life is precious in God’s hand. Your life’s value is equivalent to how much of you is placed in God’s hands and surrendered to His will. The rule of thumb is if you listen and obey God, you are wise. Only wise people will have eternal life and be in heaven (Daniel 12:3,9; Proverbs 9:10; Matthew 25:1-10). You are wise for choosing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Lord – all hope in life begins and ends with Him.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 547 – “Be Thou My Vision”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His timely instructions; thank God for guiding you with His word; pray that He will make you discerning and wise;
– Pray for young people who come from strong Christian homes; pray for newly converted Christians; pray for your Church members to remain faithful to the Lord;
– Pray for victims of war and disaster, irregular migration, and oppression; pray for our churches to be lighthouses for the world;
– Pray for God’s protection and blessings on security, health, and education personnel; pray for the sick – those on admission, ICU patients; pray for God’s peace and love for the nation.
