On Trust

During my childhood, Mom hung a certain cross-stitched Bible verse in the restroom, positioned opposite the pot at an adult’s standing eye-level.  Word-oriented as I am, it would take a great mental abstraction—or a book in my hand—for me not read it, sometimes more than once, each time I visited.  The repetition resulted naturally in memorization.  I still recall it today, though with occasional confusion on the wording—it being the King James Version and my own Bibles using NIV or ESV translations.  Still, the central message of the words remain, and over the years, the verse continues to come to mind and guide me at opportune moments, different parts striking me more at different times.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

“Trust in the Lord.”

I.e. He is trustworthy.  Okay, cool.  But what can I trust Him with?  Health, wealth, and happiness?   If He didn’t spare His own Son poverty and torture and death, why should I expect complete safety?  He’ll do anything to turn the hearts of people back to Him.  I can, however, expect Him to be with me in all circumstances, provide what I need (though not necessarily what I want), provide internal peace in all circumstances, and protect my immortal soul.

“...with all thine heart.”

All, always?  Yes.  I can’t trust halfheartedly, or only when it’s easy or makes sense to trust.

“...and lean not to thine own understanding.”

Do I think that I know better than God or His Word?  Who am I to say that He’s unfair or to think it’s okay for me to do what I want even when it’s against His commands?  If I commit to leaning on His understanding and perspective, I have to seek it by studying His ways and staying in a close relationship with Him.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him,”

This means acknowledging God’s sovereignty over me and the world, privately and publicly.  Not only must my mind admit He’s my Lord, but I also have to put that acknowledgement into practice by obeying Him or else my acknowledgement will be proved a lie.

“...and He shall direct thy paths.”

How?  How do I know He’s leading me or if my own desires are asserting themselves and I assume or claim they’re His?  I must evaluate my lifestyle and actions in light of scripture and the prodding of the Holy Spirit.  

Scripture won’t have exact answers to the right career or possessions or relationships or financial decisions that are appropriate for each person, but it does have criteria: Is my choice motivated by love for God or my neighbor, or by fear or greed?  Are my actions Christ-centered or self-centered?  Am I making the best use of the talents and spiritual gifts God has given me?  What route would best enable me to serve God faithfully (without burning out or succumbing to temptations)?  Do I feel a direction or spirit of restraint from the Holy Spirit?—and if I’m not heeding it, what’s hindering me?  Am I you relying on God to sustain me or putting faith in the false security of wealth, strength, and status?  Have I prayed about the decision—and really listened and watched for a response?

This passage—“Trust in the Lord…”—is not a formula for temporal blessings but for a life of faith that promises blessings that last: a purpose, freedom from fear, and a relationship with the Almighty.