Earlier this week in our Bible study together, we talked about the name God gave Himself to Moses: I AM. This name represents the truth that God has always existed, and He always will. He is always in control, and He is always with us. In light of His eternal name, we can trust Him. We can walk with Him every day, even when we do not fully understand or see how He is working. He can be trusted.
The writer of Proverbs 3 encourages us to place all of our trust in God, the One who is, the One who was, and the One who will always be. He wrote in this familiar passage of Scripture, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding" (verse 5). There are two commands in this verse for us to pay attention to. First, we are to trust in God fully, with our entire hearts. That means that we must put every ounce of our trust and hope in Him. When we place all of our trust in Him, there is no room in our hearts for trust in anything or anyone else. The second command in this verse is, "Do not depend on your own understanding" (verse 5). This can be difficult, can't it? Our limited minds often think we know best. We think we know what we need. The truth is that only God has a complete and full understanding.
When we are trying to make decisions, whether large or small, we need to get into the practice of relying on God's understanding, not our own. After all, He holds all knowledge and wisdom, while our knowledge is finite. The writer of this Proverb did not stop there, however. He continued writing, “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (verse 6). Notice the word “all” in this command. In everything we do, we are called to seek His will. When we do, the promise is that God will show us “which path to take.”
Friends, we have an all-present, all-knowing God who has existed since the beginning of time. He literally knows everything. He knows what we need even more than we do. Will you trust in Him with your whole heart and acknowledge Him in all you do?
Take a few moments to pray now. As you pray, seek God's wisdom, guidance, and direction in all areas of your life, especially any areas where you need direction. Commit to following His guidance as you pray, knowing that He will lead you on the right path.
1My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
