I’ve got two questions for you:

On a scale of 1-10, how secure do you feel right now (situationally, relationally, emotionally, mentally, physically)? How well are you handling your fear of evil, disaster, harm, misfortune?

From time to time, we all can struggle with insecurity. All kinds of fear can come rolling up to our door more regularly than Amazon delivery trucks do at Christmas. 

How do we stop the insecurities and fears that advance so forcefully, so frequently? Dread of disaster can really hang around. 

Proverbs 1:33 points the way. It spotlights one thing that will beam the lost, endangered and rattled home to safe harbor, shelter, rest and peace every time. It promises to bring a sense of security and ease in the face of every fear. 

Here’s the breakdown …

BUT WHOEVER LISTENS: The first move out of the seas of insecurity and fear and into safe dwelling is listening. It starts here. And let’s be reminded that listening takes shutting up, being still, downsizing the pursuit of self. It demands humility. (The evidence of humility is listening and obedience.) One can’t listen well without established humility and obedience. So let’s keep working our HLO game (HLO = Humility/Listening/Obedience). 

TO ME: One voice matters most. It’s Wisdom. Wisdom calls out and says, “Hear Me above all other voices, no matter how strong and seductive they may be. Ride, roll, run with Me. Harken. 

Get to truly know the sound of My voice. Put a premium on preferring My words above all others. And listen with the intent to heed, follow, obey. I’m the true voice you need to hear. No other voice matters like mine. Stick with Me.”

Further, note that Wisdom is painted here in Proverbs 1:33 as a Person. That’s because it is! Wisdom is Jesus. The Bible says, “… which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.“ (Colossians 2:2-3) The best way to gain Wisdom is to know Jesus.

WILL DWELL SECURE: God promises security and fearlessness to those who listen to Wisdom. Resting quietly, feeling free, living at ease in the face of anything is His reward for those who stick with Him, with those who listen. What a gift! And what a great way to live and grow!

Reflect: How free and fearless do you live? How do you deal with your fears and insecurities? How humble and obedient a listener are you?

A prayer to consider: LORD, I need assurance of safety and a trusted hope to override my daily fears. Thank You for delivering security and fearlessness as I listen to You. 

I’m counting on You to keep delivering it faithfully as I humbly, obediently follow Jesus, “… who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Yes, I’m sticking with You! Amen.