Proverbs 3:5-6 “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.” NKJV
Proverbs 3:5-6 is such a beloved scripture, it tops our popularity charts. Its versatility guides us through life’s ups and downs. I suppose we could say Proverbs 3:5-6 is the Walmart-of-scripture: the one-stop-place-to-shop for whatever we need. So, let’s take a moment to browse its wonders.
It opens with God beckoning us to trust Him with ALL our heart. Sisters, committing a portion to Him seems reasonable, but relinquishing ALL is difficult, for it requires us to turn loose our control, admit our frailties, and acknowledge the greatness of the God we serve. When God holds all the pieces of our heart under His mighty wings, (Psalm 91:4) He will protect the part belonging to our family and friends. He will counsel the part devoted to our pleasures and passions. He will guide the part storing our hopes and dreams. And, He will reign over the secret parts we dare not speak.
The next phrase, “Lean not on your own understanding,” is problematic for us as we place great emphasis on our own wisdom and higher education. Notice the Holy Spirit led the writer to the word, “lean,” meaning to allow an object to support you. Have you have ever leaned against an unstable object? If so, you most likely found yourself hitting the ground. When we lean on our feeble and finite understanding of situations, trusting it to hold us instead of resting on God’s infinite wisdom, we are likely to discover ourselves bruised from the fall.
The final challenge comes as God calls us to submit ALL our ways. Have you considered what this indicates? Think of our identities. Are we mothers? Wives? Christian Sisters? Employees? CEO’s? We may discover some of our ways easier to surrender than others. Do we naturally praise God in our homes and churches, yet enter the workplace void of our faith? Sisters, every hat we wear is to be placed in our Father’s hands so others may see Him and come to know Him through us.
The beautiful climax of this scripture comes as God, who cannot lie, reveals to us His glorious promise. If we trust Him completely and submit our entire being to Him, He will direct our paths. So, through the darkness of this world, a Loving Father illuminates our way. Sisters, this side of heaven, it doesn’t get any better than that!
Father God, may each step of our life find us on Your lighted path.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane