We all have certain passages in the Bible that we hold dear to our hearts as a source of encouragement. I received a card of encouragement in the mail last week, as I often do, from Mrs. Wanda Kerr. As I opened the card, I found two of my favorite verses printed on the inside. It said, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5,6). I have always been fond of these verses, and after reading them in the card I spent some time thinking about all that is revealed in them. Let’s spend some time considering the great truths presented in this wonderful and encouraging text as we break it down into sections.
1. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” This short phrase embodies the very foundation of what our relationship with God should be. We cannot be saved without a trusting faith in God. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16), and Paul states that we are “justified by faith” (Rom. 5:1). A true Christian faith means absolute trust in the fact that God will keep the glorious promises He made in the Bible. God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2). Trusting in oneself, or the false beliefs and philosophies of the world, can be dangerous. But, If we trust in God, we can be assured of blessings in this life and the realized promise of eternity in heaven.
2. “And lean not on your own understanding.” Isn’t it a great relief to know that we do not have to lean on our own understanding to guide us through life and make it to heaven? I think anyone with a humble heart would admit that he doesn’t have all the answers to life’s questions. We can look back in history and see the depressing results of those who attempted to lean on their own understanding. One of the main reasons we tend to rely on ourselves is because of pride. We see this occur first in the beginning of history itself. Eve was deceived into believing she could be “like God” (Gen. 3:4). Another Proverb states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25). Adam and Eve’s desire to lean on their “own understanding” was how death was introduced to the world. When we trust in God, we can lean on Him instead of the weaknesses we find in ourselves.
3. “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” This is how we show our trust in God. We acknowledge Him by believing in His powerful attributes. We obey and submit to Him in all our ways because we believe He is all powerful, all knowing, holy, and just. We acknowledge Him as the sovereign creator and sustainer of the entire universe (Gen. 1:1). We can trust in God because He is in total control of everything. We acknowledge God by being thankful for His saving grace and mercy, which is exhibited to us through His love.
4. “And He shall direct your paths.” When we trust and acknowledge God, we admit our weakness and submit to His guidance and direction. Jeremiah explained it perfectly when he said, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). God will direct our paths through the guidance of His word. David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). Let us all trust and acknowledge God so He will direct our paths through life. Remember, God’s ways are greater than man’s ways. -Ed
