“In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

Proverbs 14:26 declares, “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge.” This verse serves as a profound reminder that true confidence and refuge can only be found in God. For Christians, this confidence is not rooted in the fleeting and unstable things of this world but in the eternal and unchanging nature of God, the Author and Sustainer of all things. As sojourners in a fallen world, we are called to place our trust fully in Him.

The world we live in is corrupted and fallen, a shadow of the perfection God originally created. Sin has marred every aspect of creation, leaving humanity in a state of brokenness and alienation from God. This fallen state makes it impossible for the things of this world to provide lasting confidence or refuge. Wealth, power, and human wisdom often fail when we need them most, reminding us that our true hope must lie elsewhere.

Proverbs 14:26 connects the fear of the LORD with strong confidence and refuge. To fear the LORD is to revere, honor, and trust Him fully. It means surrendering every aspect of our lives to His authority and recognizing that He alone is sovereign over all creation. This fear is not a paralyzing terror but a deep respect and awe for God’s holiness, justice, and love. From this reverence flows an unshakable confidence that the wise person experiences, knowing that God is both their protector and provider.

Abraham’s life provides a powerful illustration of this truth. As a sojourner in a foreign land, Abraham lived by faith, trusting in God’s promises even when they seemed distant and unattainable. In Genesis 23:4, Abraham referred to himself as “a stranger and a sojourner” when seeking a burial site for Sarah. Despite having no permanent stake in the land, he trusted God’s promise that his descendants would inherit it. Like Abraham, we are sojourners in this world, called to live by faith and trust in God’s ultimate plan.

As Christians, we are also ambassadors of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul reminds us, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” This means that while we are in the world, we represent the kingdom of God. Our mission is to reflect Christ’s love, grace, and truth to a fallen world, pointing others to the hope and refuge found in Him. Yet, even as we engage with the world, we must remain distinct, living by God’s standards rather than the world’s.

Our confidence as ambassadors is not in ourselves or our abilities but in the One who has called us. God’s sovereignty and faithfulness sustain us as we navigate the challenges of living in a fallen world. Just as Abraham’s faith was rooted in God’s promises, our confidence comes from trusting in Christ and His finished work of redemption. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has reconciled us to God, securing our eternal refuge.

This refuge is not merely a future hope but a present reality. In Christ, we find strength to face the trials and uncertainties of this life. The fear of the LORD leads to a confidence that transcends circumstances because it is grounded in the character of God, who never changes and whose promises never fail. This confidence allows us to live boldly and faithfully as representatives of His kingdom.

Living as sojourners and ambassadors means recognizing that this world is not our ultimate home. Philippians 3:20 reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven.” While we are called to engage with the world and make an impact for Christ, our hearts and minds must remain fixed on the eternal reality of God’s kingdom. This perspective shapes our priorities and gives us peace, even in the midst of a broken world.

The things of this world are foreign to the things of God. Earthly values such as self-reliance, materialism, and pride stand in stark contrast to the humility, dependence, and selflessness that characterize a life surrendered to Christ. As we live in the fear of the LORD, we are continually reminded that our confidence and refuge are not in the fleeting comforts of this world but in the eternal security of God’s presence.

Ultimately, our refuge is in Christ and His finished work of redemption. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only reconciles us to God but also provides the foundation for our confidence as we navigate this life. In Him, we find forgiveness, peace, and hope. As Proverbs 14:26 declares, the fear of the LORD leads to strong confidence, and His children will have refuge. May we live as sojourners and ambassadors, placing our full trust in the One who is our eternal refuge.