Fearing People, Or Trusting The LORD

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
    but trusting the LORD means safety.

—Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Loving and Caring LORD,

Save me from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they think of me or a fear of what they might try to do to me—and help me find safety in trusting You.

Don’t allow me to let a fear of people keep me from that which You have called me to do—but help me keep my eyes focused on You, so that I will avoid the enslaving power that a fear of man can hold over me.

Let me fear You only—with respect, reverence, and wholehearted trust—knowing that You are well able to turn what others intend for evil, into great good.

And let me fully experience the liberating freedom of placing all things, big and small, into Your hands for safe keeping—even my very life itself.

Save me from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they think of me or a fear of what they might try to do to me—and help me find safety in trusting You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Ugliness Of Pride, The Beauty Of Wisdom

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,

But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

—Proverbs 11:2 (AMP)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to keep a genuinely humble heart—that in humility I would gain wisdom and live my life with soundness of mind in Christ.

Save me from any hint of pride that would boil up from within me, because of an arrogant attitude of self-importance—so that I would not bring dishonor on You and heap piles of shame upon my own head.

Keep me mindful that any good that is in me is not by my own design or effort, but rather by Your grace and gifting—and is intended to empower me to do good works that would bring You glory, honor and praise.

Remind me that You didn’t grant me gifts and talents to make me look good—but rather that others might see Christ in me and be drawn into an intimate, personal relationship with You.

Continue to teach me to put my trust in You as You carry me through the trials that You allow me to face—that in all things I would make very little of myself and very much of You, and find all of my value revealed in Christ alone.

Help me to keep a genuinely humble heart—that in humility I would gain wisdom and live my life with soundness of mind in Christ.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Let Me Ponder The Direction Of My Life

I pondered the direction of my life,
    and I turned to follow your laws.
I will hurry, without delay,
    to obey your commands.

—Psalm 119:59-60 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

From this day forward, let my testimony be that I pondered the direction of my life and I turned to follow Your laws—that I hurried, without delay, to obey Your commands.

To that end, help me to make time to frequently stop and ponder the direction of my life—and examine the extent to which I am hurrying to obey Your commands.

Remind me often how the level of my obedience (or my disobedience) to You is continually determining the course of my life—and help me turn down those paths of surrender toward perfect submission to You.

Help me to hurry, and not delay, in submitting to Your commands—fully trusting that my obedience will always bring Your best for me, and the upmost glory to You.

From this day forward, let my testimony be that I pondered the direction of my life and I turned to follow Your laws—that I hurried, without delay, to obey Your commands.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.