05/31/2021
When decisions are to be made how do we make them? Do we use our own intellect, and reason within ourselves until at last we think we have the right answer? This is the way of a natural, or worldly, man, and as such the world places a great deal of value in those who are self-sufficient like this. We honor self-made men and women, those who are self-assured, self-reliant, and contain all the other “selfs” that we can think of, but is this really what God desires us to do?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
We are told in these two verses that God is to come before us, that we are to put our trust in Him, and to lean on Him. Interestingly enough, we usually don’t quote these verse until we have already exhausted all of our own ability. We call on them after we have already placed ourselves first, and failed, so in desperation we turn to Jesus Christ, and God, as our last resort. Think back on all the times you have sought comfort in these verses… do you find this true in your life, are these your go-to verses once you have run out of other options? Well, that is probably because you didn’t read the next two verses…
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV
I wonder why verses seven and eight weren’t placed before verses six and seven in scripture. Perhaps it was because they were meant to demonstrate God’s confidence in our ability to obey His commandments, but I have a feeling it was more likely to teach us a lesson regarding our own inadequacies. Listen to these verses, and contemplate them. Do you think of yourself as wise, and do you really fear God?
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV
How wonderful life would be for us if we sought out the Lord in prayer whenever we made decisions to make in our lives. Our paths would all be straight and easy to walk, and we would be physically well, and refreshed too! When we look at the life of Jesus we find Him beginning His days in prayer, and evidence in moments, like when He raised Lazarus from the dead, that he leaned on God always…
“So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.””
John 11:41-43 ESV
After the Ascension of Jesus the Apostles prayed for days as they waited on the Comforter to come. They didn’t try to reason among themselves as to the time, place, or method, but simply trusted in what Jesus had told them, and prayed. Do we trust in this way?
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14 ESV
How many days in prayer would it take us before we questioned God as to the Spirit’s coming? If our prayers were met with only silence would we falter after just one day, two, maybe three, before applying our own wisdom and reasoning to the situation? Or, perhaps we would have gone immediately to our own wisdom, and devices, thinking that if we did this, or that, then the Comforter would surely come right away. Yet the apostles began praying immediately, trusting in God, and continuing on for ten days without any sign of stopping before the Spirit was breathed onto them. Do we have this kind of strength in our faith, and trust in Jesus, and God?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Do we place all of our confidence in the wisdom of God, finding our own wisdom to be prone to evil?
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
Proverbs 3:7 ESV
Let’s meditate on these things today, and how they play out in our lives as we go through our lives. Moreover, let’s pray for our Heavenly Father to lead us in our understanding.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being strong, and wise in all the days you righteousness in our lives. Thank you Lord for helping us by making each of the decisions we face in our lives; the big, small, and trivial, alike. Teach us, through the example we have in Jesus, that we are to come to you, and lean on you, first in all things. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is capable of leading us in all things by your Spirit. Praised be your name for our straight roads, wellbeing, and the joy we receive in every decision you make for us. You are merciful Father, and your grace flows over us as we lean on you. Wash us in the blood of you Son Jesus, and let your Holy Spirit lead us to righteousness in every moment of decision, and need for understanding. Great are you always, and perfect is your wisdom and ability to understand as you lead us to an eternity in your house.
Rich Forbes