“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.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If you’ve read this blog very much, you will already know that Proverbs 3:5-6 are my “life verses.” My podcast is called the 3 5 6 Podcast with the 356 representing Proverbs 3:5-6.
Every so often, I revisit those verses to remind me of this wonderful promise God has given to us. I ask God to help me be so totally committed to Him that I am able to walk in the confidence of His guidance.
We are only 13 days into 2015 and while I can see the road ahead — I can’t see far. I’ve also come to realize that without the guidance of God and His wisdom, I won’t be able to see anything with any kind of understanding. If this year turns out like the previous, we will deal with some complex and confusing turns in the road — and those turns will test our knowledge and our commitment. There are hills to climb and bumpy roads to travel.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me that we can make it — and we can make it victoriously if we trust God’s guidance. These verses have proven to be my battle cry during the testing times and my comfort and strength in uncertainty. The words of these verses are a sufficient roadmap — even though I can’t see all the turns, stops, difficulties or pleasures that are ahead.
May I take just a minute to remind myself (and you) of just what these verses teach?
First, they teach me that every decision, every action, and in ever development of my life, God WILL direct my path. I will get where I’m supposed to be going because God prepares and directs my way.
In addition to guiding me — God is personally involved with me on every step of my journey. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you i the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
While God provides the guidance, He also requires a few things from me. Proverbs 3:5-6 says I must acknowledge Him. I have to submit myself to His guidance. By acknowledging Him, I am also acknowledging that He is in control — not me. Maybe you’ve seen those license plates on cars that say — “God is my Co-Pilot.” By the way — if you have one of those — get rid of it! God is NOT my Co-Pilot — He is my PILOT! I pay attention to Him in all my ways — daytime or nighttime — work or play — rest or worship — in relationships and when I am alone. He is driving my life.
These verses also tell me to trust Him. The Bible says in James that we can’t be “double-minded” (James 1:8, 4:8). We can’t trust God and trust the world. We trust God even when there is no one else to trust. We trust Him in the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Finally, these verses remind me that I should NOT depend on myself. One translation says, “Don’t rely on your own insight.” This reminds me that I am absolutely inadequate without God’s guidance. I’ve learned through the year that I really can’t make it on my journey without Him. I only defeat myself and God’s purpose when I lean on my own understanding.
God wants to give us His guidance. He knows we need it — He knows we will fail without it. But He also knows our capacity to follow His direction. He waits for us to pay attention to Him — to trust Him with our whole heart — and to reject our own abilities to guide ourselves.
Trust the guidance of God. He will NEVER lead you astray.
Have a great day.
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