The Antidote for Dread

Waking up in this world in which we live can sometimes be overwhelming.  One turns on the news to learn of the latest massacre of school children, shooters in the Mall or the theater, and the death of loved ones to disease and accidents.  Sometimes it seems to be too much and sense of dread begins to permeate one's thinking.  How can we live in a world with such darkness?

Long ago a very wise man wrote these words in the Book of Proverbs:

29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,

31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.

32For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them;

33but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil."

Proverbs 1: 29-33

We are given a choice.  Every day we get to decide to whom we will listen.  The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.  There is one who is righteous and someday he will judge each of us by our deeds.  This is not designed to be a threat. In fact, it is good news!  Because if we choose to live our life in the belief of a Creator God who loves us, who made us in his image, who conquered death and wants us to spend eternity with Him we can be "at ease, without dread of evil".  Today I am choosing to begin my day with the fear of the Lord.  I am rejoicing in the midst of all the sorrow and lament that evil can muster.  On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.