LISTEN TO ME AND BE SECURE

In times of trouble, or when facing an uncertain future, it’s easy to feel insecure and fearful. God has promised that as we listen to Him, we will be safe and secure. 

But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.  (Proverbs 1:33 CEV)

It would be very easy to miss the word “but” in the sentence that contains this promise because it is the first word.  This word indicates that there are prior things we need to avoid so that we can experience the life of security and blessing that God is promising us.  If we read the preceding verses in Proverbs 1 we will be reminded of the trouble that comes when we are enticed into harmful practices such as:  when we mock others who live a simple life; when we stay so busy and distracted that we don’t hear God’s warnings or bother to obey His principles when it is inconvenient to do so; when we slide along not being alert to potential trouble and thinking, “I’ve got this in the bag.” 

The word “listen” has two parts, to hear what God is saying and to obey what we have heard.  Doing this will lead to the successful living that God is promising us.  God knows what is best for us.  We need to seek Him and find out what His plans are for us.  God will strengthen us and help guide us around things that would otherwise cause us to stumble, because He knows how weak we are, and how powerful the triggers that cause us to stumble can be.  As we give our full attention to God and obey what he says, we will experience the life of security God promises us.  We will then be free from the fear of disaster that is so harmful to our well-being.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.  Submit yourselves to God.  Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. (Proverbs 3:6 MSG; James 4:7 GNT)

Prayer: Loving God, It is so easy to become confused by fearful thoughts and then act out of panic.  Please help me to follow Your ways in every situation I encounter so that I may experience the safety and security that You have promised. When I fail to listen or follow the way You have shown me, help me to admit the error of my ways and quickly get back on track with You.  In all I say or do, please help me to listen well to Your Words and then do as You say. Amen