The Bible says,

“The fear of man brings a snare,
But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.” Proverbs 29:25 NASB

This is one of those “compare and contrast” kind of Proverbs.

Here, the word of God is comparing and contrasting the fear of man and the fear of God.

The fear of God is hidden in “trust in the LORD” because we only trust God when we know Him and when we know God, we fear Him.

Joseph was a man who feared God throughout His life because Joseph knew who he was worshiping. Even if he knew that God was (still is) spirit and he cannot see Him, Joseph knew that God was with him all the time.

So, when a married woman enticed him for sex, he refused and said, “How – – – could I do this great evil, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9b NASB

Amen!

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;” Proverbs 8:13a NASB

The opposite of Joseph is King Saul (Saul was also a direct opposite of King David).

King Saul had no fear of God in his heart. All he cared was what others said about him; how others perceived him as a man and as a king.

Read his story in 1 Samuel 15.

After you finish reading/studying the story Saul, how the fear of man brought a snare into his life, I ask that you add to your “New Year’s Resolutions” this: God, in 2021, teach me how to fear You.

This is my last resolution to this year and I thought it would be nice to encourage you to do the same because “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NASB ///