How can we seek God's protection when facing our own fears today? Setting the scene: Adonijah’s desperate dash “But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.” (1 Kings 1:50) • Adonijah has just tried to seize Israel’s throne. • Solomon’s sudden anointing terrifies him. • His instinctive response? Run to the altar and grasp its horns—the ancient symbol of God-given sanctuary (Exodus 21:13–14). Why the altar mattered then—and still matters now • The altar stood at the center of covenant life: a meeting place where blood was shed so people could be spared. • Touching its horns meant placing yourself under God’s mercy and justice. • Today, Christ’s cross fulfills what that altar foreshadowed (Hebrews 10:19-22). We approach the once-for-all sacrifice, not a bronze structure. Parallels for our own fears Adonijah’s flight is a picture of what to do when dread closes in: run to the safest place available—God Himself. • Fear of consequences we’ve earned? • Fear of threats we didn’t cause? • Fear that paralyzes without clear reason? The remedy is the same: seek refuge where God promises protection. Practical ways to seek God’s protection today 1. Run first, not last, to Him. • “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) • Make prayer your reflex, not your backup plan. 2. Grip His promises like Adonijah gripped the horns. • Write, speak, and memorize passages that apply to your situation (see list below). 3. Confess any sin connected to the fear. • “Whoever conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) 4. Submit to His greater plan. • Adonijah surrendered to Solomon’s judgment; we yield to Christ’s lordship. 5. Accept God’s peace in place of panic. • “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Promises that steady a fearful heart • “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4) • “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) • “Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) • “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) • “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Choosing faith over fear • Fears shrink when God’s presence looms larger. • Protection is not always escape from hardship; sometimes it is courage within it. • Like Adonijah, your first move when fear strikes determines the rest of the story—so grip the true altar, trust the greater Solomon (Jesus), and rest in the refuge no enemy can breach. |
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