PROVERBS 3:5-6.

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

TO PONDER

It is human nature to put one's trust in something or someone. As descendants of Adam, we know too well the ramifications of placing our trust in ourselves or being misled by the evil-one. 

While I am not necessarily proud to state this, my wife has often accused me of needing to feel I have control. I am not sure whether this is an old-fashioned trait I have perhaps inherited from my Dad and our German ancestors or not. But as the male head of our household I, for whatever reason, do feel a responsibility to provide, care for, and protect our family unit.

With this confession made, I am certainly guilty then, of reflexively wanting to solve all or any problem or obstacle that I or our family encounter. Looking to rely on my own self-trust and self-sufficiency rather than placing my total trust in the Lord and placing all my trials and tribulations at the foot of the cross where He has done all for us.

Our verse today is not just talking about life's trials and tribulations though. The message is clear. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart……" (verse 5). As sinful humans, we may well question that it is impossible to trust in God perfectly, however we can certainly strive to have a heart and life that does not consciously reject or defy God with unbelief.

We are not to rely on anyone or anything other than the Lord. During Jesus' earthly ministry, we never saw Him partially heal a paraplegic, so they relied upon a crutch to hobble away. Jesus' words were 'get up and walk' and powerfully, these words were lived out. 

Indeed, if we have the same faith and belief, this will be the exact same result for our lives too. No reliance upon anyone else, no crutch, just total trust in the Lord in all we do, and He will not only walk with us but bless us and continue to watch over us as he leads us along our life's journey to our Heavenly Home.  

Are there reasons or obstacles in your life that you can identify that inhibit you from totally trusting in God and His plans for you?   Why?

PRAYER: Heavenly doctor, help me to totally trust in you so like the paraplegic you healed, I need no life crutch to rely on but can confidently walk forward knowing that you walk with me on every step of my earthly journey.  Amen  

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping