Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer about fearing a bad name is heard, and God understands that worry. The desire for a good name is a right desire, because Scripture teaches that a reputation will spread from how we live. It cannot be hidden. It will be either good or bad. Honest and faithful living tends toward a good reputation, while careless or idle living tends toward shame. You cannot control every word people speak about you, but you can choose the path of integrity day by day.
The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. That word beginning means the starting place and the sum of it all. Without this, there is no true wisdom. This fear is not a phobia or a terror that makes you want to hide. It is reverent awe as you consider who God is, His greatness and power and holiness. When you take time to quietly think about Him, that awe grows. It creates a desire to love what He loves and to turn from what He calls evil. That is the foundation for a wise life.
When that awe for God fills your heart, fear of what people think begins to lose its hold. Fear and faith cannot rule together. Fear grows when we forget the Lord, and faith grows when we remember Him. To remember that He is with you, that He watches over you not to condemn you but because He loves you and will not take His eyes off you, quiets the heart. If the Lord is your helper, you do not need to fear what people might do or say against you. He gives strong confidence to those who walk in reverence for Him, and He keeps their feet from slipping.
Jesus Himself endured shame, though it was hateful to Him, for the joy set before Him. He knows what it is to be misunderstood and spoken against, and He can give you strength to keep walking in a way that honors Him even when words are hard.
So bring this fear to Him honestly. Ask Him to help you live first for Him, to be faithful in the small duties of each day, and to trust your name and your future into His hands. He sees you, He loves you, and He is able to guard you.
Let us pray. Father, You see this heart that is afraid of shame and a bad name. Fill this heart with awe for You more than fear of people. Help this life to be honest and diligent and to turn from evil. Take away fear and give faith and confidence in You. Guard this name and this life in Your hands, and let Your presence be the place of safety today. In Jesus name, Amen.
The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. That word beginning means the starting place and the sum of it all. Without this, there is no true wisdom. This fear is not a phobia or a terror that makes you want to hide. It is reverent awe as you consider who God is, His greatness and power and holiness. When you take time to quietly think about Him, that awe grows. It creates a desire to love what He loves and to turn from what He calls evil. That is the foundation for a wise life.
When that awe for God fills your heart, fear of what people think begins to lose its hold. Fear and faith cannot rule together. Fear grows when we forget the Lord, and faith grows when we remember Him. To remember that He is with you, that He watches over you not to condemn you but because He loves you and will not take His eyes off you, quiets the heart. If the Lord is your helper, you do not need to fear what people might do or say against you. He gives strong confidence to those who walk in reverence for Him, and He keeps their feet from slipping.
Jesus Himself endured shame, though it was hateful to Him, for the joy set before Him. He knows what it is to be misunderstood and spoken against, and He can give you strength to keep walking in a way that honors Him even when words are hard.
So bring this fear to Him honestly. Ask Him to help you live first for Him, to be faithful in the small duties of each day, and to trust your name and your future into His hands. He sees you, He loves you, and He is able to guard you.
Let us pray. Father, You see this heart that is afraid of shame and a bad name. Fill this heart with awe for You more than fear of people. Help this life to be honest and diligent and to turn from evil. Take away fear and give faith and confidence in You. Guard this name and this life in Your hands, and let Your presence be the place of safety today. In Jesus name, Amen.
