“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trust is defined as “firm belief or assured reliance on the character, reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary) The writer of Proverbs tells us that God is the only one we can trust. He warns us of even trusting our own reasoning. We know the trouble we have in trusting our own reasoning because we are sinners, which makes us selfish, even to our own destruction. This selfishness was the temptation to Adam and Eve; it is also the acts of the flesh described by Paul. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) These are the results of “the wages of sin.” (Romans 6:23)

How do we know that we can “Trust in the Lord”? We can trust him because we know what length he has gone to in order to demonstrate His love. From the promise to crush the serpent’s head, through the covenants of in the Old Testament all the way to the cross and the resurrection, God has expressed His love and a desire to restore our relationship. If He is willing to do all of this, then He is the one we can trust. As the Proverb says, we can trust Him with our heart. This is the beginning of our ability to love Him with our heart.

When we submit to Him, He begins to teach and encourage us. One way to do this is to change what we think about. Paul would encourage the church at Philippi to focus their thoughts. “brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

We are able to change our thoughts because we spend time with God through prayer and knowing His Word. God is with us, because He is with us it should fill us with joy as we rejoice in all that He has done. Paul again to the church at Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

When we trust in the Lord, there is a promise, “He will make our paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) Our paths will lead us everyday straight into the Father’s hand for all eternity.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block