“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

 

 

I’m married to a robot.

We produced two boy robots whose brains work just like his. Our artist daughter was blessed with a portion of her dad’s number talent. Just give me words.

In high school, I desperately wanted to understand the higher math equations, but my brain couldn’t embrace their meaning. I had to settle with memorization. Unfortunately, my memory didn’t hold equations either, and despite my drive for straight A’s, I was relieved to earn a C in algebra II.

I know what it’s like not to be able to understand something—not just in math, but in life.

I often think…if only I could understand God, then I could relate my heart to the problem and have peace about it.

But Proverbs 3:5, 6 wisely instructs us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust in the Lord—with all we have.

Sometimes that takes a lot of prayer.

[tweetability]Trust is a choice.[/tweetability]

But the benefits of trusting God’s wisdom over my understanding is huge.

“In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Does that mean my life will be easy-peasy?

Come dig with me into the ancient text to understand the intentions of the author who penned these words in a language very different from our own. We cannot comprehend God, but we can better understand the Bible.

“In all your ways…” The Hebrew word: Derek̲; to tread, bend, guide, Journey, way, path, road….(Key-Word, NIV)

“In all you journey…”

“Acknowledge him…”

Yāḏa̕; to perceive, understand, know, discern, be known, make oneself known, cause to know; to be familiar with, be aware of….. (Key-Word NIV, 1520).

“In all our journey know Him, be familiar with Him, be aware of Him.”

“And He will make your paths straight.”

Make straight was used to translate the one Hebrew word, Yāŝār.

Yāŝār; Has two meanings: (a) making something straight or level; (b) ethically, an upright (moral) life….

Which meaning do you think the author intended when he penned Proverbs 3:6?

Studying the word “paths” will bring clarity. The Hebrew word is, ̕̕Ōraḥ.

̕̕Ōraḥ: way, path….Often used figuratively, describing the way to righteousness or wickedness, the path leading to life or death. (Key-Word, 1505).

Trusting God, walking this journey aware of His goodness right beside me even in the hard days does not promise my life easy, but it does promise relationship right with Him which brings peace.

Do you need peace?

May I pray for us?

“Dear Lord, help us trust you. Awaken us to your good Presence walking beside us on our journey. Strengthen our desire to know you rather than understand you. And grant us peace. Peace today and for all eternity. Amen.”

When have you had to choose trust over understanding? Did it bring you peace?

Much grace,