5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
If there is one thing in the world men want, perhaps even besides riches, it is understanding. Think of this, if men did not want understanding, there would be no discovery, no exploration, and none of the striving for knowledge that is the hallmark of human achievement. Yet here we have Solomon's words commanding his son NOT to lean on his own understanding. This statement could probably have many different interpretations. One could emphasize YOUR understanding, as if to say, "Do not simply think your own thoughts, but consider the thoughts of others." One might also say that because the heart is mentioned, Solomon may be pitting intellectual knowledge against feelings and emotions that often sway the understanding. These may be possible interpretations, but the key lies in the phrase, "Trust in the LORD."
When we think of trust, we think of that which sways our thoughts and opinions towards a certain side, sort of like a line in the sand. What we trust becomes the side we take. It is a firm choice that informs our decisions both great and small. The issue of trust really goes to the matter of what we may call a world view. Whatever you put your trust in, that is the lens by which you look at everything around you. If you put your trust in science, you may see everything empirically, that is, you must seek facts, hypotheses, experiments, conclusions, and proofs for everything you see. You could put your trust in riches. Men who do this, usually horde all they can for themselves so that they will always be financially secure. You could put your trust in some governmental or religious body. Men who do this are looking for these groups of people to think for them and help them make their decisions.
In the end, a world view that puts trust in anything but God, particularly the God of the Holy Scriptures, will always end up at themselves. They either see themselves as the ultimate knowledge being able to judge the truth of everything they see, or they give that place to someone or something else they deem to be worthy to be the final judge. We know from other passages of Scripture that all men know their creator and that He is God, but they suppress that truth in their unrighteousness (Rom 1:18-25). In other words, they know who they should trust in, but they reject God and replace Him with themselves.
But the wisest man who ever lived tells us to, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." The LORD God Who made all things, Who is the fountain of all being, Who is all wise, Who is all knowing, and Who has condescended to reveal Himself to us; surely He is the basis of all understanding. And this is the One Solomon commands us to put our trust in. The LORD and His wisdom and understanding should be our world view and the lens by which we see everything around us. But it is not merely the intellect by which we embrace God for ultimate understanding. We must trust with our whole heart. With the heart we see by faith, not simply with our eyes.
Faith informs our understanding. Faith puts in motion what we believe. Imagine what your life would be like if you knew how to walk, but did not have the ability? You would know in your mind how to stand to your feet and address them to motion. But if the strength were not in your legs, or your muscles; your nerves, and bones were not formed, then you would have the knowledge, but not the ability. Trusting the LORD with your whole heart means that you understand with your mind and you are enabled by the Holy Spirit to do as your understanding dictates. Faith gives you the ability to walk in the way of the LORD.
That brings us to verse 6. These 'ways' are surely only speaking of THE way. Some may interpret this as simply putting God first in everything. But that interpretation leaves many things open that are probably not intended. The business man may think that if he puts God first, his business will prosper. That is not necessary wrong thinking. But if the man only gives lip service to God, or does things in his business that do not really reflect the clear teaching of the Bible, then this verse is misapplied and the man is deceived. However, if we look at these ways as being the one true way, that is, living according to the clear teaching of Scripture - that teaching by which Christ commands us to make disciples - then it really makes a vast improvement on life this side of heaven. The way is not a formula for success in business. The way is not a means to achieve all we want in life. The way is a life of service to God, to learn of Him, to live in godly fear of Him, and to worship and glorify Him; in a word, to live your life for Him.
And surely by living for Him, He will make your paths straight. This does not mean that your path will always be smooth, or that it will be easy, but that He will show you the clear path your life is to take. One of the most frustrating things about being lost in the forest, or in the desert, or in any other place in which you could be lost, is that you cannot see the path to take to the place you need to be. This brings fear, doubt, and desperation. When God makes our paths straight, we may not always know where we are going, or how long it will take to get there. But we always know that we are where God wants us. Instead of fear, we have safety. Instead of doubt, we have certainty. Instead of desperation, we have hope.
In our most dire of circumstances we face as men, if we put our trust in God, and lean upon Him for understanding, and live in His way, He will make our path one of hope and perfect peace.
Assignment:
1. Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6.
2. Journal about what it means to acknowledge God. Start with the dictionary definition of acknowledge and then expand that to sermons or teachings you have heard.
3. Journal about trust. You may jot down people, places, or things in which you put some measure of trust.
4. Follow this link: Look for some verses that talk about "the way," referencing the way of the LORD, or the way of Christianity. Jot down the ones that you find meaningful.
1. Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6.
2. Journal about what it means to acknowledge God. Start with the dictionary definition of acknowledge and then expand that to sermons or teachings you have heard.
3. Journal about trust. You may jot down people, places, or things in which you put some measure of trust.
4. Follow this link: Look for some verses that talk about "the way," referencing the way of the LORD, or the way of Christianity. Jot down the ones that you find meaningful.
