The Wisdom Of Proverbs: Trust God, Not Self

The Wisdom Of Proverbs: Trust God, Not Self

“Trust in the Lord with all your 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

God’s chosen people had every reason to trust Him. He delivered them from bondage in Egypt. He destroyed their Egyptian pursuers in the Red Sea (Ex. 14:28). He provided for their needs in the wilderness with bread and quail from heaven (Ex. 16:12-13), water from the rock (Ex. 17:6), and clothes that didn’t wear out (Dt. 29:5). He delivered them into the Promised Land (Josh. 5:6).

He had proven Himself time and time again as the God who loves and cares for His people, and all He asked in return was that they trust Him and none other: “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol ... you shall not bow down to them or worship them” (Ex. 20:3-5). And you know what happened: “They have been quick to turn away ... and have made themselves an idol; they have bowed down to it” (Ex. 32:8).

Today the Lord continues to give us every reason to trust in Him. He has demonstrated His love for us in that “while we were still sinners, He died for us” (Rom. 5:8). He has proven His care for us by asking His Father to protect us by the power of His own name (Jn. 17:11-12). He has demonstrated His presence among us by giving us His Holy Spirit as comforter, guide, and teacher (Jn. 14:26).

Are you heeding the wisdom of God as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6? Are you experiencing His love, care and presence in your life? Are you daily enjoying the fact that once you were dead and now you have a new life in Christ? Have you counted your heavenly blessings (Eph. 1:3) lately? This month’s Feature articles can help you answer these questions with a stronger “Yes.”

By Larry Ondrejack