April 5 | Trust in the Lord

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 3:5-6, “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Lesson 5 | Trust in the Lord

The above proverb is the first one I ever committed to memory.  It has proven to be just as powerful today as the day I first learned it.  I will take the next few sentences to break down each of its main parts.

First, Solomon commands us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart.  The word trust here means, “to put full confidence in God and His Words.”  Second, we are told not lean on our own understanding.  That is because our own understanding is in opposition to God’s wisdom.  Think of an object only being able to lean in one direction at a time.  Our direction of leaning (dependence) should always be towards the Lord and His Word.

Third, we are told in all our ways to acknowledge Him.  This means we are to always place God’s presence and Word as the filter for all our thoughts, actions, and words.  Our ways should become His ways.  For example, when choosing whom to marry we should first acknowledge God and His plan to be sure we find the right one.  Also, in our daily working habits we should consider how God would have us to do our tasks so that we might be honest and successful workers.

Lastly, the proverb promises that if we have been faithful to do the previous steps (trust in the Lord, lean not on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways) He will make our paths straight.  To have straight paths means we will have the best route to our goals and destinations.

Therefore, take some time today to reaffirm your trust for God.  Avoid being dependent upon your own wisdom and always acknowledge God in all you do.  For if you do those things, God promises to make your life a success! 

Reflection | Who’s understanding are you leaning your life on, yours or God’s? 

Action | (1) Trust God and His Word with everything in your life. (2) Stop leaning on your own understanding in life. (3) Acknowledge God in all you do.  (4) Lastly, follow the straight paths He sets before you!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, &Proverbs 12:18. Click here to read online.