Bible study, proverbs, Trust

Word Wednesday: Choosing Trust over Understanding; the way to Peace

“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)

 California mountains

 

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,

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4 Comments

  1. Just now getting familiar with Word Weavers International, I clicked on your recent post promoting Steven James Book “Sailing Between the Stars.” His words spoke to my poet’s heart and then your blog post caught my attention. It hit on my life’s aim spelled out (early in my journey) in Pauls letter to Philippi: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I thank you for bringing this back into focus. I am not trying to understand God, but I am trying to know Him in the many experiences of my life. Thanks

    1. Hey Rich! Welcome to Word Weavers! So glad you clicked on the link and were blessed. Praise God! Keep on keepin’ on! Seek Him like crazy. I pray blessings on your writing. Thanks so much for leaving a comment. To Jesus be all the glory; we are simply the instruments in His hands. He is the breath.

  2. Renewed_Daily

    Beautiful. I needed this reminder today, Andy. Thank you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

    1. Yay God! Thanks Shelly. I needed it too.

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