Entertaining young children often provides moments of enduring joy and memories that last a lifetime. I often think of those days when I played “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” with my sons. We made noises and faces and even built homes out of blankets and chairs. The “big bad wolf” tried to create problems for the three little pigs but was never able to harm those inside their home. They were prepared to face the threats of the big bad wolf.
We often do the same - making preparation to face the threats and uncertainties of life. We feel strong in our own strength and believe without a doubt that we can, no matter what, withstand any temptation in life.
Solomon, however, presents another way of responding to the threat of evil: be cautious or timid! When temptation threatens us and we feel incapable of rejecting it by ourselves, we are to “shun evil.” Looking deeper into these two little words we find that those who “shun evil” or are “timid” because they feel weak or are unable to reject it in their own strength, have a “built-in alarm:” the fear of the Lord! When they realize that they must face God or what could destroy them, they respond in fear and turn to God for His strength.
I often marvel at the countless alarm systems that are available to protect our lives, homes and identities from fraud and theft, danger and destruction. Some provide constant surveillance through an electronic monitoring system. Others can be self-installed and are battery operated. Both are designed to warn of “impending danger.” We have something better, stronger, more certain, and always available: God’s wisdom, strength, and power.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be so fearful of evil that we flee from it in fear rather than standing, fighting and failing. May we look to You to save us by calling on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Proverbs 14:16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
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