Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Proverbs 29:25

25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. (ESV)
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. (NLT)

Do we care so much of what others think of us or can do to us rather than GOD? Actually when we try to protect ourselves with the wisdom that leaves GOD out of the picture, it will be a dangerous trap to us. We can be pushed or fall into sin by fearing man rather than fearing GOD. When we allow man to affect our decisions that actually according to the guidance of GOD, we will be tempted to compromise.

Fearing man will definitely conflict with fearing God. We would be concerned about pleasing people in order to gain their agreements, friendship, and favors. When we can be intimidated by people’s disapproval or rejection, we will do what we could to gain their approval and acceptance. We care more of others’ opinions, agreements, or popular trends instead of submitting our lives according to the teaching and guidance of the Scripture, and we will walk ourselves into a dangerous trap. We, however, should put our trust in God and His WORD to guide us, and we will be safe – whoever trust in the LORD is safe.

In the bible we learned that; because of the fear that Aaron had for the people of Israel that they might kill him, he allowed them to make the golden calf while Moses went up to Mount Sinai (Ex 32:22-24). Because of Herod’s fear of people in order to maintain his popularity and power, he killed John (Matt 6:6-11). Pilate feared of the people that might affect his political position, he surrendered Jesus to be prosecuted (John 19:11-16). Because of Peter’s fear of being judged by men about his association with Jesus, he denied his own Master (Matt 26:69-75) and, furthermore, because of his fear to be judged by fellow Jews about his association with the gentiles, Peter almost compromised the Gospel (Gal 2:11-13).

On the other hand, we also learned that; David did not let his brothers’ defeated discouragement and fear get into him nor he feared of Goliath (I Sam 17:28-50). Daniel’s friends did not fear men even with the threat of being thrown into fiery furnace (Dan 3:16-18). Daniel did not fear men even with the threat of being thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). John the Baptist did not fear man that he rebuked Herod’s sins to the point he was killed by doing so. Yet Jesus called him the greatest amount those born of women (Luke 3:19, Matt 6:6-11, Luke 7:28). Steven did not fear man speaking out the truth before high priest, even though he was stoned to death. Yet he saw Jesus came to receive him (Luke 7). After witnessing the ascension of Christ, Peter and all the apostles did not fear man, but boldly proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and surrendered their lives for the sake of the Gospel (ACTS).

We should obedient to GOD instructions and guidance instead of being fearful of man and compromise ourselves. We should never fear man and keep ourselves from speaking out for Christ and share HIS Gospel. When holy boldness is needed, and if we trust Christ, holy boldness will be given.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

(Revelation 21:7-8) – All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
(Matthew 10:28) – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
We should put our trust in God and His WORD to guide us, and we will be safe – whoever trust in the LORD is safe.

Pray:

Dear Jesus,
We confess, if we have gone astray from Your commandments because the fear of man. Please forgive us O-Lord! Dear Lord Jesus, Your Word says, “Let not our heart be troubled neither let it be afraid. Therefore, we come to You to pray and ask for boldness and for the strength to overcome the fear of man. We cast all our fear and worries concerning whatever issues and problems in life caused by men that stand as a giant against us on to You. We trust that You will help us because You cares for us (1Peter 5:7). We praise You O-Lord for being with us even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. We know that You are with us and Your rod will comfort us. We will not fear what man can say, reject, or against us when we choose to walk righteous before You. You are our light and our salvation. O-Lord Jesus, Your Name is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and they are safe. In Your protection, You have taught us to observe Your commands and hold on to Your promises that You will be never forsake us. Therefore, in trusting You, we are safe. We praise You and forever our heart rejoice with gladness!
We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Ps. Wallace Ong

xxx

每日灵粮
29/4/20星期三
作者：王振威传道
箴言29:25
惧怕人的、陷入网罗．惟有倚靠耶和华的、必得安稳。

我们是否太在乎别人对我们的看法，过于上帝如何看待我们？实际上，当我们尝试摆脱上帝并依靠自己的智慧来保护自己时，我们将步入一个危险的陷阱。我们将因为惧怕人过于敬畏神，而陷入罪恶当中。当我们允许别人来影响我们做决定时，我们将很容易做出妥协。

惧怕人肯定与敬畏神相互冲突。我们将更顾虑于取悦人们以获得他们的认同，友谊和好感。当我们被人们的反对或拒绝吓倒时，我们将尽我们所能以获得他们的认可和接受。若我们更在乎别人的意见，赞许或大众化，而不是按照圣经的教训和指引来委身，我们将步入一个危险的陷阱。因此，我们应该相信上帝并让祂的话语来引导我们，那么我们必得安稳—-惟有倚靠耶和华的、必得安稳。

在圣经中我们学习到；亚伦因为惧怕以色列民可能会杀害他，他就在摩西上西乃山时允许他们铸造金牛犊（出埃及记32：22-24）。希律王因为惧怕人民，及为了维持声望和权力，他杀死了约翰（马太福音6：6-11）。彼拉多害怕百姓可能会影响他的政治地位，他把耶稣起诉了（约翰福音19：11-16）。由于彼得担心人们会评论他与耶稣的交往，所以他否认了自己的主人（马太福音26：69-75），此外，由于他害怕被犹太同胞评论他与外邦人的交往，彼得几乎危及了福音（加拉太书2：11-13）。

另一方面，我们也学习到；大卫没有被他的兄弟们的拦阻而影响自己，也没有惧怕歌利亚（撒母耳记上17：28-50）。但以理的朋友们虽然面对被将被丢进火炉的威胁也不害怕（但以理书3：16-18）。但以理虽然被威胁将被丢进狮子坑也不惧怕（但以理书6:10）。施洗约翰并不惧怕人，他甚至因为斥责希律王的罪而被处死。耶稣形容他时说，凡妇人所生的，没有一个大过约翰（路加福音3:19，马太福音6：6-11，路加福音7:28）。司提反在大祭司面前也不惧怕的传讲真道，虽然他被石头砸死了。但他看到耶稣来接待他（使徒行传7）。在见证了基督的升天之后，彼得和所有使徒们都不再惧怕，而是大胆传讲了耶稣基督的福音，并为福音而舍弃了自己的生命（使徒行传）。

我们应该顺服上帝的指示和引导，而不要因为惧怕人而让步。我们绝不应该惧怕人，而拦阻了我们传讲基督，及分享祂的福音。当我们需要从神而来的勇气时，如果我们相信基督，就会得到神所赐的勇气。

所以弟兄们、我以　神的慈悲劝你们、将身体献上、当作活祭、是圣洁的、是　神所喜悦的．你们如此事奉、乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界．只要心意更新而变化、叫你们察验何为　神的善良、纯全可喜悦的旨意。（罗马书12：1-2）

（启示录21：7-8）得胜的、必承受这些为业．我要作他的　神、他要作我的儿子。惟有胆怯的、不信的、可憎的、杀人的、淫乱的、行邪术的、拜偶像的、和一切说谎话的、他们的分就在烧着硫磺的火湖里．这是第二次的死。

（马太福音10:28）那杀身体不能杀灵魂的、不要怕他们．惟有能把身体和灵魂都灭在地狱里的、正要怕他。

我们应该相信上帝并让祂的话语来引导我们，那么我们必得安稳—-惟有倚靠耶和华的、必得安稳。

祈祷：
亲爱的耶稣，
我们承认，如果我们因为惧怕人而偏离了你的诫命。主啊，请原谅我们！亲爱的主耶稣，你的话语说：“你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯。”因此，我们向你祈祷，祈求你赐给我们勇气和克服惧怕的力量。我们把生命中所面对的问题，恐惧和忧虑卸给你，它们就如同站在我们面前的巨人。我们相信你必帮助我们，因为你顾念我们。（彼得前书5：7）。主啊，我们赞美你，即使我们经过死荫的幽谷，你都与我们同在。我们知道你与我们同在，你的杖你的竿都安慰我们。当我们选择在你面前公义的行走时，我们不会担心别人会拒绝或反对我们。你是我们的明灯和我们的救赎。主耶稣啊，你的名字是一座坚固台，义人跑入这台，我们必得安稳。在你的保护下，你已教会我们遵守你的诫命并抓住你的应许，那就是你永远不会丢弃我们。因此，惟有倚靠耶和华的、必得安稳。我们赞美你，你让我们心灵充满喜乐！
我们奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们！

陈月妃译