Confidence in the Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 14:26-35

26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is a king's honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But the righteous has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Those who fear the LORD have a strong confidence in life and in death which those who love an unrighteous life do not possess.  There is refuge in fear and trust of God and in His mercy and grace for life by believing and acting on His word in the knowledge and understanding of wisdom.  That reverence of worship and submission in willful obedience brings a fountain of life (John 4:14), fully seen in His Spirit living in those who do His work as given in John 6:29.  This life turns us away from pursuing death as the justice and judgment we all deserve.  The more who recognize these truths, the more honor goes to the King of kings.  In the world, the ruler like a prince who has few subjects is their downfall, but with God we know many are called to come to Him, yet only a few are chosen to honor Him, a difficult truth for us to accept.  This is wisdom.  Just as the one quick to anger demonstrates his own foolishness, the one who has great understanding will consider all things before allowing anger to come out and deal with it wisely (James 1:19).  This is realizing that we cannot make God’s righteousness by our force or emotions, but by exercising wisdom in faith.  Having a heart kept pure in this knowledge gives life to these sinful hearts; exercising envy and jealousy against others is like cancer which eats us up inside.  This wisdom then cares for others, especially those suffering or in need.  Showing mercy on the needy honors God, for we are to give the grace, love, acceptance, and forgiveness given to us by Him in return.  The evil person refuses to honor God in these ways, demonstrating a lack of understanding and wisdom, and will be banished eternally in death, but the righteous in God have an eternal refuge in death.  Wisdom therefore is is understanding hearts who know God and His word, while the foolish only let out what bad they take in (Mark 7:20-23), observed in their speech and actions.  The righteousness we hold in Christ is a help to our nation where God put us as salt and light, but if we continue in sin we tarnish that name and witness.  Even the rulers of a land recognize the wisdom we live by and execute wrath in judgment on the shameful who give them a bad name (1 Timothy 2:1-2).  Our confidence is in the fear and trust of the Lord in our obedience of holiness.