Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
When I was in college, my friend, Anna, needed crutches. She had hurt her ankle badly and needed to keep weight off of it for a little while. I'll never forget when my friends and I saw her with her crutches for the first time. We all cheered! You may be a little confused right now, so let me explain. We were sad that she was hurt and in pain, but we also knew that crutches were going to be so good for Anna. You see, she does not like to ask for help. She likes to do things in her own power. These crutches were going to force her to lean on other people for support and help during her short stint on crutches. Can you relate to my friend Anna? Do you, like Anna, hate asking for help. Do you prefer to do everything yourself in your own power and strength? My friend, there is a better way! In fact, Proverbs 3 teaches us to lean on God rather than our own understanding.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding," verse 5 says. This command is particularly important to remember during temptation. You see, temptation really tells us to trust our understanding rather than God. It tells us that we know better than Him, which is a complete lie. So, the question is, what do we do instead? Instead, we seek God's will. When we do this, "He will show [us] which path to take" (verse 6).
The beautiful thing about the fact that God will show us which path to take is that He is all-knowing. He sees everything and He knows the future. Because of this, He is the exact person we would want to show us what path to take. Sin is a deceiver, but God is a deliverer. When faced with temptation, we have to decide if we will listen to our own sinful nature, or if we will trust God and listen to Him.
My friend, are you facing temptation today? Whether it is overeating, lying, lust, pride, envy, or anything else, it's up to you if you will listen to God's leading or not. I urge you to listen to God, who will always lead you in the right direction. He will always lead you to where you want to go. Lean on Him today.
Have you found yourself striving, trying to live life on your own, giving in to your sinful nature and disobeying God? Stop depending on yourself and lean on God. Turn to Him now and remember His power. Take a few moments to make a list of all of your strengths. Then, next to each thing on that list, write how God is bigger. Lean on Him and His strength today.
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.
The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
