Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Trust in the Lord...
Trust Him, with ALL your heart.
Trust Him, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Trust Him, and in all your ways acknowledge Him...
IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM...
Submit to Him.
Honor Him.
Be thankful for Him.
Believe in the reliability, the truth, the ability, and the strength of Him.
I've been thinking about these words a lot lately.
How difficult it is for me to surrender the idea of leaning upon my own understanding.
To prevent myself from defaulting into my own selfish way of thinking... MY way, if you will!
But, MY way is simply not the place I should rest assured or feel definitive.
MY way is not really secure or in control.
No... truth be told, MY way is not something to be trusted.
It gets me into trouble.
It leads me into stress.
It causes me confusion, sorrow, restlessness, anger.
In fact, MY way is the farthest place my heart should seek rest.
MY way is the most ridiculous place to put trust.
The world says, "Trust your gut. Trust your instincts. Trust your inner, authentic self. Trust your dreams." But later in the book of Proverbs, I read,
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." (Proverbs 28:26, KJV)
But how weird and contradictory does that seem?
I trust me more than anyone, right?
I know me.
I've learned from my own personal experience.
I perceive. I study. I make decisions with what I know to be a sound mind.
But is that actually wise or good for me?
Am I walking in real wisdom when I go at it alone?
God says, "No... Don't do it. Don't trust yourself. Don't loose sight of my glory. Don't stray away from my perfect truth. Rather, acknowledge me in everything. Obey my Word and know my promises. Look for me everywhere. Abide in my grace and give me the task of taking on your well-being. Really, I've got this! Believe in me and only ME!"
Yes, only in His Way is there wisdom.
Only with Him as my focus, can I have a beneficial direction... a proven path.. a meaningful purpose... a blessed hope.
Reading on further in Proverbs 3, I am instructed,
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8, KJV)
Clearly, I need to remember that wisdom is not naturally mine. It is something found only in the diligence of seeking after God's law. Because of this, I am told to live my life pursuing righteousness while loving and uplifting others to do the same in Jesus' Name. (See 2 Timothy 2.)
Why acknowledge God?
Why trust Him with all our heart?
Why give up our rationale and what we think may be right vs. submitting to what He commands to be holy?
Because He is able.
Because He has a plan in hand and is ready to see us through to completion.
Because He is good.
Because He is wise.
Because He loves us most.
Because HE IS GOD and well, we are not.
With this in mind, today I encourage everyone reading this little blog to stop and read all of Proverbs Chapter 3. And as you invest in receiving God's Word, consider the importance of trusting and seeking after His healthy wisdom. Stop and look around at all the ways there are to acknowledge His glory in your life while loving others in His Name. Surrender your understanding and logic over to His care. Abide in His grace. Why? Because God's Way is the only reliable path to cling to. God's Way insures and promises peace, health, favor, refreshment.
Thank you, Lord.
Proverbs 3
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
Blessings!
:)
Victoria
© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson
I have an interesting question for you to consider: 
