There is a certain sacred passage of Scripture which neatly sums up my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As any student of the Bible knows, the Word is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. I just quoted Hebrews 4:12 which demonstrates how the verse I want to focus on, or any other verse for that matter, is activated.
Some folks hear the Word of God and, well, it doesn’t stick for whatever reason. Few others entwine it into the daily fabric of their lives, not necessarily to receive the Lord’s blessing but because they know and love the Lord personally. Like any relationship, this begins with trust.
I give you Proverbs 3:5-6. It begins with trust and the object of that trust, our Lord:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
We see that this trust is a binary decision. No matter what crosses into your path in an attempt to deter this sacred trust, your conscience continually convicts you if your heart, mind, and soul belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
And lean not on your own understanding
This one is hard for folks, including me, who like to figure things out ourselves, either by choice or necessity. Instead lean into the understating of an infinite source, the One who sees the end from the beginning.
In all your ways submit to him
Another seemingly impossible concept as we strive to live within our sin infused jars of clay. Yet when we submit to the desires of the Spirit than those of the flesh, then the last verse will be activated:
And he will make your paths straight.
Everyone is well aware of the preferable shortest distance between two points, but as everyone has experienced, life and our own choices get in the way and deter us from the intended path He has laid before us.
I memorized this prayer many years ago. For me it has been a proven essential formula for a godly life guided by the one who first gave it.
Be encouraged!
Jim
Thank you Jim, this is one of my memory verses, right up there with Gal 2:20 and Rev 3:20.
Thanks for sharing!
Heeding the voice of God is NOT "leaning on your own understanding". Some have been accused of this.
Don't be offended when your path is made straight - this may be an unexpected change!
Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (ESV)