Trust God Always! ( Proverbs 3:5-6 )

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a beautiful text we have here. This one I must say has been on my heart recently. Often times when we encounter rough areas in our life our first question is why? It is this very text that gives me much comfort and I pray it does the same for you brethren. First as we know the book of proverbs were written by King Solomon. What is interesting is this, is despite how the latter part of his life went and how the kingdom would go as a result. It is very humbling as you read what Solomon asked for. Of all the things a king could ask for, Solomon asks for wisdom( 1 Kings 3:7-13 ). He asked for this so as to rule the people justly. He recognized he was young and needed wisdom to rule the people. This my friends is the attitude a ruler needs to have. He needs to have the humility to realize he needs God's guidance in leading him even though he has been placed in a position of authority.

Now moving into the passage for tonight. Verse five I do believe is a familiar text to all Christians. It goes as follows trust in the Lord at all times with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. You know I love this verse and often times the Lord brings this verse to memory when times are rough or beyond my understanding. I find it no coincidence that this verse ends lean not on your own understanding. First off to trust in the Lord at all times, means just what it says is to trust Him at all times. This means when you lose your job and things look bleak, trust Him. When it seems things are pressing in from all sides and you don't see a way out trust in Him. Friends it doesn't lay down conditions saying if things are great trust in Him at those times only. No, it says trust in the Lord at all times. Then the second half of the verse says lean not on your own understanding. This links perfect with trusting Him at all times. Don't rely on your own wisdom. The scriptures clearly indicate there is a way that seems right to man and it leads to death. In addition we as humans only see a small part of the picture when God sees the entire picture. Consider this and I do believe leaning on your own wisdom will sound quite foolish and make no sense at all.

Next in verse six it says acknowledge Him in all your ways and He shall direct your paths. Brothers and sisters when I think of this verse I think about the 23 Psalm of how it says that the Lord is our shepherd. Friends the longer I walk with Him I've come to see more and more how He has led me. It has been no coincidence the very paths in which He has led me on. Granted they haven't always been fun,but they have all had a purpose. When I say they all haven't been fun. I acknowledge the fact that there is trials, tribulations and suffering in this life even for those of us who are His. That through these trials I've grown closer to Him and through it I've acknowledged His very presence with me. As it is written " I(God) will never leave thee nor forsake thee"( Hebrews 13:5 ).

Brothers and sisters I encourage you to trust in Him always. I know there are going to be days are that are going to be rough. In fact I know there are going to be days that are going to feel like hell. Know this that He will be with you every step of the way. Remember this, His will may not be to get you out of a tough situation, in fact most times I've found His will is to get me through it. Through it, I've found it draws me closer to Him. Through it, my dependence on Him has grown and my love for Him continues to grow deeper everyday. Be encouraged my brethren.


Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><