I AM TRUSTING

 JULY 14, 2022

PROVERBS 3:1-12

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

 

Have you ever considered why we disobey? Not just why we disobey God, why we disobey anybody? Our parents, our bosses, other authorities, it could be anybody. What causes us to disobey?

I wonder, if we are honest with ourselves if at the core of why we refuse to do what we are asked or told to do is a lack of trust. We don’t believe the person commanding us knows us, or cares about us; perhaps we feel forgotten by them, or perhaps we have forgotten who they are. Whatever reason, we decide we can’t trust them, but instead need to rely on ourselves and take matters into our own hands.

The solution to such thinking and behavior is to learn to trust again. That is where Proverbs 3 takes us. It is an invitation to trust God, to live according to his guidance and will. The Bible word for this kind of trust is faith, learning to rely on and depend on God instead of ourselves. Let us look at Proverbs 3:1-12 today.

Proverbs 3:3-4 call us to Trust God’s Devotion

This proverb encourages us to trust, but not blindly. Before it tells us “how” to trust God, it gives reasons “why” we should trust God and follow His ways.

We are invited to remember God’s “kindness and truth,” or your Bible might say “loyalty and faithfulness.” These words in Hebrew are used to describe God’s devotion to His people, his covenant love and faithfulness. In Exodus 34:6-7, God revealed Himself to Moses: “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for a thousand generations, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.” God knows you, loves you, is committed to you, not because you are perfect, but because He made you and He loves what He made. This is the central truth that if we could internalize would make us eager to trust God. Perhaps that is why the proverb tells us to bind this truth to our neck and write it on our heart.

Second Proverbs 3:5-6 invite us to Trust God’s Plan

After telling us why we should trust God, the proverb shows us how. Trust God with your whole heart and don’t trust your own understanding. Trust starts when we realize we don’t have all the answers. When we acknowledge our own lack of resources, we open ourselves up to God’s power and wisdom. If you think you are wise in your own eyes, you will do things according to your own assessment of things, which will be ultimately inadequate.

The promise here is that if we will trust God and live according to His plan, He will “make our paths straight.” Straight paths are an ancient symbol for the most direct route to travel to the destination. Life is hard enough without us making it harder on ourselves by doing things which seem easy at the time, but which create detours, or dead-ends in our lives.

Trust God’s Commands Proverbs 3:7-8

Next the proverb develops the idea of how to trust God. Obey God’s commands. The promise is obedience will lead to healing for your body and refreshment for your bones. God’s commands are the handbook for getting the most out of life. Living according to them will bring joy, peace, healing, and refreshment we are told.

Let's Pray

Lord, I struggle to find the right path ahead of me. I pray that you will move the Holy Spirit to guide my life steps. I pray that you will guide me with your spirit so that I may grow closer to you. Through your wisdom, guide me to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.