Please explain Proverbs 3:26.
To answer your good question, let’s read Proverbs 3:24-26, “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”
What comforting words to the ears of the saints. Words to relieve of any fear. Words so comforting that it enables us to sleep, no matter what is going on around us. Let’s look at these verses a little closer.
“WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET.” The peaceful slumber of the righteous! It is natural that we tend to be more afraid at night, when less can be seen and evil men do their work. However, the One who loves us and watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)
“BE NOT AFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR, NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH.” Sudden fear is all around us, unexpected and quick. Evil men can come upon us at any time. Proverbs 1:16 says, “For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.” We do not need to fear that! Neither should we fear the desolation that wicked men threaten to bring, and at times do bring, upon the godly because of our testimony for the Lord. We read in Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
“FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.” Here we find the basis of our fearlessness and peace. The Lord is the object of our confidence…not ourselves, not other men, but ONLY the Lord. The Lord is the One who keeps us from all kinds of traps and snares that tend to trip us and cause us to fall, thus our confidence is in Him alone. The voice of experience says in Psalm 94:17-18, “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” It is when we own our own weaknesses and doubts, and cry out to Him, that the Lord will ‘keep thy foot from being taken’ by the many snares that are constantly around us.
My friend, as a believer in Christ, do you have this peace, this comfort, this assurance of victory over all adversaries and adversities? The key to this life is found earlier in our chapter. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Precious truth that will bring precious results. (206.8)