Have you ever had a situation where you are reading a particular verse of scripture and meditating on it, and your friend sends you the same exact verse with her notes during her quiet time? In those moments, I realize just how real God is, and how much He cares about the little details.
The verses we both focused on was 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 will make your paths straight.’
I know I’ve shared this before, but I believe it’s worth repeating:
I once specifically asked God why He was taking me through a particular situation that did not make sense to me and was frustrating – the firm but quiet answer came back almost instantly ‘because I want you to trust me’.
To be honest, it’s now that I look back with more than 2 – 3 years of 20/20 perspective that I’m realizing just what my Father meant. He would bring me through some experiences that the only way that I would be victorious would be by completely trusting Him – even when the circumstances did not make sense to my feeble mind.
So, I want to break down what these two verses mean to me.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart: you have to give God every part of you. You have to trust Him with ALL you have. There is nothing too big or too little to trust God with.
Lean not on your own understanding: my feeble brain will have me thinking that things should look and operate a certain way. My perspective is limited and very flawed – I must trust God to lean on Him and not my own understanding. Even when (and especially when) things do not make sense or does not add up.
In all your ways acknowledge Him: I find myself speaking to Him more frequently. I can walk and talk with Him. I can share what’s on my heart. I find myself being grateful for every little thing – acknowledging Him for every situation in my life – even the unpleasant ones.
And He will make your paths straight: this is a contingent promise on the first part of the verses. There are certain things that you have to do – trust Him. Lean not on your own thoughts and ways. Acknowledge Him. When we do those things – He will direct our paths and He will clear obstacles out of our way that we could not even begin to imagine.
Friends, will you trust Him? Will you commit to doing the things He requires of you so that we may receive the promise of a straight path?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your words and your lessons. I am grateful as I’ve watched my life over the few years and when I’ve submitted my will to your will – choosing to do what you want of me instead of my own, and the results – it leaves me humbled and trusting you even more. Thank you for these examples that mold and grow our faith and trust in you. Amen