Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

17 June 2024

Reading From Proverbs 27-29

“The wicked flee though no one pursues,
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

–Proverbs 28:1

     Everyone struggles with fear at some point in their lives, but in these days and times, fear seems pervasive.  I don’t want to blame everything on the media and politics, but I do think that scare tactics sell news and help to elect those who use them.  There is a constant barrage from the media and because most people carry a digital window to the world in their pockets, the access to hype is constant. 

     I’m convinced that sometimes my phone vibrates even when no one is contacting me and no apps are notifying me just because my phone is lonely and wants me to look at it.  These phantom notifications cause me to glance and it and then I’ll check social media or email or whatever.  I feel as though much of what we are fed by the media and our political leaders is spiritually toxic for us and is polluting our minds and hearts.  We need a steady diet of the Word of God, prayer and worship to counteract the hazardous waste.

     Nine times out of ten what we are afraid of isn’t even a reasonable fear. This or that might happen but usually the reality is that it won’t and it doesn’t.  I know people who feed off the dire predictions of the greedy prognosticators.  Don’t get me wrong, there are legitimate concerns out there and it’s good to be prepared for emergencies, but the children of God must trust Him.  We can be bold because we have Almighty God on our side and therefore we don’t need to be afraid of anything or anyone except for Him.  And the great thing about Him is that He is love.

“Lord, remove unhealthy fear from our hearts.  Help us to trust You more and more, leaning upon Your Word.  While people around us are being eaten alive by unreasonable fear and anxiety, show us ways of sharing Your light and Your strength with them.  In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.”

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

–Proverbs 3:25-26