Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
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 shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP)
5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Do not Lean on Your Own Understanding
The first part of Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts. To access yesterday's post, please CLICK HERE. The second part of the verse tells us not to lean on our own understanding. This command does not mean that we must neglect using our brains or cease using good common sense. What it does mean, though, is that our ultimate trust must be in the Lord rather than in our human intelligence and abilities.
We will never have the complete perspective that God has. Sometimes God allows difficulties into our lives to strengthen us, to purify us of sin, or to shape our character. Sometimes God takes up the rough side of the mountain, because it is better for us in the long run. Sometimes the choice that we think is best for us will actually harm us. Therefore, we need to trust in the Lord’s guidance, for he will always do those things that are best for us.
I love the words of Psalm 84:11, “The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Similarly, in Psalm 34:10, David declares, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” The Lord also says in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God is a good God; lean on his understanding rather than your own.
To “lean on” means to “rely on.” Most things that we rely on will fail us at some point.
- Family members fail us; spouses fail us;
- Friends fail us;
- Other people fail us;
- Things fail us;
- Banks fail us; large corporations fail us.
- The government fails us . . . .
- WE EVEN FAIL OURSELVES!
Dwight L. Moody said, “Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment. Trust in your friends and they will die and leave you. Trust in money and you may have it taken from you. Trust in your reputation and some slanderous tongue may [ruin it.] But trust in God and [he will never fail you] in time or eternity.”
The message of this verse should be clear: we must look beyond human counsel and ability and put our wholehearted trust in the Lord. God has everything under control! Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Wilfred Graves Jr.
www.wilfredgraves.org
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