Blogging Through Proverbs Part XIII - 3:5-6

Studying: Ephesians 6, Philippians 1-4
Memorizing: Romans 1:1-19
Thoughts: Good

"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 your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB

One could probably argue that this is the most well-known verse in all of Proverbs. It's been made popular in a song, and it's often one of those verses people learned very early on as children. I'm no exception either, and this is still a verse that I particularly hold dear. There is comfort in that phrase "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." There's something reassuring in the command to "not lean on your own understanding" and "acknowledge Him," and who doesn't want straight paths? What makes these words jump off the page to so many people?

There is much application in these two small verses, more than I have time to write about here. But lately I have been thinking a lot on the subject of Christian suffering. I'll confess I don't think I have particular suffered lately. Yes, I've had times, but right now our daily afflictions are mild in comparison to many. But I do know of others who have suffered deeply as of late, and continue to suffer. At this very moment three in particular come to mind and more could easily be thought of if time permitted. But when I read these verses I cannot help but apply them in this context. What an amazing comfort is found here.

When a saint is in deep despair these words are sweet "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." Why do we need this reminder? Mainly because our natural tendency is not to trust in the Lord, but rather in ourselves, in others, in plans and remedies. We need this reminder also perhaps because we are also tempted to lose hope. A man dies leaving behind his wife and young children, and what does the family need to hear? "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." At such times the heart is frail, the emotions a wreck, and the devil very very active. Perhaps doubts may enter in. Perhaps temptations to question God's providence may arise. Yet God bids us to "trust" him, and not just passively, but with our entire being, with all that we are. We are to rest and rely completely and absolutely upon him.

But there's another imperative given, "...do not lean on your own understanding." Cancer begins eating away at a young life and the tendency may be there to say "Why is this happening? I don't understand." Indeed we do not. Our understanding is frail also, subject to error and misjudgment. God is infinite, and we will spend eternity finding out his greatness, never exhausting is. He who spoke the universe into existence, he who sustains it by his mighty power, he whose knowledge is eternal, plans and carries out his sovereign will for his own good purposes. It should then not surprise us if the ways of God often strike us as "mysterious." As the hymn says "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace. Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face."

Yet the command goes further. We are to "acknowledge Him" in all our ways. In everything we do, good or bad, sweet or bitter, light or heavy, he is to be acknowledge. As Job sat in ashes and said "The LORD gives and the LORD takes away, blessed by the name of the LORD" so also must we in times of trouble look to God and God alone and acknowledge him, giving him all glory, recognizing his sovereignty, believing is word.

And finally comes the promise. If we live this way, trusting him, seeking his understanding and acknowledging him we will receive "straight" paths. It is the path of Christlikeness. I find it interesting that the promise is for "straight" paths and not necessarily "easy" paths. Indeed the path that Christ walked is so often a path filled with troubles, trials and sadness. While the path may be difficult, we have the comfort that we do not walk it alone. The believer walks with Christ.