The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 ESV

The fear of the Lord protects us from foolish mistakes and spiritual death. The desires of our hearts tend to be for the things of this world, and without a healthy fear of the Lord, we could be caught by the snares of death laid out before us. God uses our correct response to the Lord to guide us through the snares of death laid around us. God calls out to us through his Word and others to lead us through the snares that lead us away from God. The Hebrew word used in Proverbs 14:27 for snare is also used to describe a type of hook or noose that can lead them on a path to death. It is key to have the right perspective of the fear of the Lord. The right perspective allows us to see that fear as a fountain of life rather than a place of shame and guilt.

Extended Version

The fear of the Lord is not just about salvation and our relationship with God from the eternal perspective. The fear of the Lord is a starting point for us to escape the many troubles this life has in store. When the truth of God’s Word guides us, we can use the wisdom found in His Word as a road map to a life full of joy and glorification of God. As Christians, our ability to escape the snares and nets is rooted in our adherence to God’s Word. We can escape our deepest desires that lead us from God. With the right perspective, the fear of the Lord becomes a restful place where our troubles are not snares that trap us but situations that grow us.

Challenge

Take time out today and reflect on the holiness of God and how it is such a blessing that God loves us despite our lack of holiness.

Prayer

Lord, I ask that you help me remember that you are the fountain of life. Lord, I ask that you open my eyes to the desire in my heart for the snares of this life that lead to death. Lord, I want to be a (wo)man that fears you and rest in you so you become my source of peace because of the abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Additional Scriptures

And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

Ecclesiastes 7:26 ESV

and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Isaiah 33:6 ESV