Trust

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" (Martin Luther King Jr.). 

It is a certainty that we will fall if we try to do things without God's direction. That is why the wise man of the Proverbs teaches the lesson of Proverbs 3. These are among my favorite verses of the Bible. After a beginning parental appeal (vv.1-4), he calls for his son to live a devout life (vv.5-12). Ultimately, that will only happen if one trusts the Lord. And so, in these two verses, we have a great list of how to trust in the Lord. In verses 5-8, we have the wisdom of four imperatives (commands).

The Command: Trust (v.5). We aren't to just trust in the Lord, we must do so with all our heart - with every fiber of our being. Our understanding is limited at best. Why would we trust in our imperfect selves? Trusting in the Lord is not just a command, it's a reassurance that we are not alone in our journey.

The Command: Acknowledge (v.6). This doesn't mean just a declaration of His existence. The word means to "know, possess information about, understand, chose." That takes study, time, effort, and a relationship. If we do so, He will straighten or smooth your paths. Life is just easier when we do it His way. Acknowledging God brings hope and a brighter future. 

The Commands: Fear and Turn Away (v.7-8). We will fear the Lord when we see ourselves (and God) with the proper perspective. We should want to stay as far away from evil as possible, mainly because of our fear of the Lord. When we fear God and turn away from evil, it cures the problems that sin brings and provides blessings to us as we follow Him.

It isn't about what I want or what makes me happy. It is about what is best for me. And, to borrow an old television show title, "Father Knows Best." However, the real emphasis the father makes is that the Heavenly Father knows best! Think about what God directs for every action you are going to take. God will help work things out in your life. God's wisdom can remove obstacles and keep one from danger, providing a comforting sense of security. I love you, and God does too! 

Corey Sawyers is the preaching minister for the Martin Church of Christ and an adjunct instructor for Bear Valley Bible Institute. He is Melody's husband and Daddy to Garrett (and Bailey), Gordon (and Lauren), and Gannon. It is campfire and s'mores season!