Trust in the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all y our heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

For most Christians, this could arguably be one of the top three most known Scriptures along with Psalm 23 and John 3:16. It was with much joy that I received this Scripture from my pastor this past Sunday along with the bread that God had ‘baked FRESH’ for my pastor and me! So I share the ‘bread’ with you today –

1) Obeying God is a heart choice. To trust God with ALL – is a choice on my part. God speaks the words as a command: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” but as my ever-loving Father He gives me the choice to obey … or not. To trust God in ALL, in everything, is SO difficult. It requires that I deny who I am in and of MYSELF and affirm who I am ONLY in God. I am who I am because of what God has done in my life and what I think I have achieved myself is only an illusion that covers the gifts and opportunities that God has created and given.

2) Is my life in God and with God characterized by my heart devotion to Him? …in all your ways acknowledge him… Remember Jesus in the temple at age 12? Why had He turned from the path His parents were taking and went back to the Temple? What did He say to His parents as an explanation? “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (John 2:49NIV) or another translation says he had to be about His Father’s business. Am I always about the Father’s business? Is my work conducted as Jesus would do? Is my relationship with my husband and my children according to Jesus’ example? Am I about Kingdom work with my church or is it a social club that must cater to my agenda and meet only my needs? What have I done in outreach, missions, and evangelism so far this year? (almost 4 weeks into the year!)

3) Finally, when I make the decision to choose well with my heart choice and heart devotion to God, then my heart direction will be on God’s path; the path of my life that is led by Christ. …and he will make your paths straight… When I follow Jesus, the path my life takes may have it’s turns and mountains and valleys but I won’t flounder around and wonder which way to turn at the crossroads. I will KNOW the way God wants to lead me because my heart is turned to Him first and always.

How wondrous it is to read even familiar words from God and receive fresh nourishment to my spirit! I pray that your Sabbath was also like that and you are hungry today to pick up God’s Word and receive some more!