Trust God: Choose His perfect direction. Seems simple. Why do we fight it? Human nature, it’s too easy. At least on the surface.
The hard but necessary part is giving up our will for God’s will. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in, we rely on Him.
Review
We have been discussing Proverbs 3:5-6. The first three lines have been covered in previous lessons.
- Line one: Trust in the Lord with all your heart-Trusting Jesus wholeheartedly is complete when we have unwavering trust.
- Line two: Lean not on your own understanding- We can trust in God’s perfect wisdom because He is faithful. Our own understanding can be tainted with the world’s view.
- Line three: “In all your ways submit to Him”- We have to know who God is, we need to honor Him in everything we do, talk to God regularly, read and study His Word, and apply what He teaches us
In this lesson we are discussing the fourth and last line of verse 5-6- “and He will make your paths straight.”
What Does the Bible Say About Seeking God’s Direction?
Proverbs 3:6
"in all your ways submit to Him and He will direct your path."
For God to direct our paths, we need to be submitting to Him so we can know what His way is. Building a relationship is the key to hearing what God has to say.
Hosea 6:3
"Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises,
He will appear;
He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
This is a beautiful passage explaining what happens when we acknowledge who God is. His coming to us is as sure as the sun rises and the rain waters the earth. The weather and all God’s creation is set on a schedule which continues daily, a methaphor for God’s faithfulness in taking care of His children.
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans."
Jeremiah 10:23
"Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own;
it is not for them to direct their steps."
"Plans committed to God. The verb "commit" is literally "roll" (the figure of rolling, as in rolling one's burdens onto the Lord, is found also in Ps 22:8; 37:5; 55:22). This word portrays complete dependence on God, accomplished with a spirit of humility and by means of a diligent season of prayer. For our plans to succeed, we must also have God's approval. Not every plan we have is pleasing to him; but for those that are, this verse is a great comfort." Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament
Jeremiah is praying to God. Through his own experiences, he realizes that its not in man’s makeup to direct his steps. We have the freedom to do as we wish and that’s why the world is in the conditions it’s in.
Isaiah 48:17
"This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
'I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go'".
Rules are not always popular, but that’s not their purpose. Children think we make rules to take fun our of their lives. As adults we know they have a purpose of protecting us, whether mentally or physically.
His way for us is not always comfortable.In fact it can turn everything upside down. That’s where trust comes in. The best part is that He is there to help carry the burden and soothe our pain.
Psalm 37:23-24
"The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
God’s direction yields secure steps we can rely on. In our humanity we sometimes slip. God is there to prevent us from falling when we are dependent on Him.
A Biblical Example of Trusting God: Choose His Perfect Direction
Acts 9:10-19
"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Ananias!'
'Yes, Lord,' he answered.
The Lord told him, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.'
'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.'
But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength."
Ananias did not want to go to Saul. He had heard all about him and believed that Saul was there to arrest Christians. The Lord explained Saul had become His instrument to reach the Gentiles. Ananias followed the Lord’s directions and Saul received the Holy Spirit because of Ananias’s obedience. The rest is history.
Trust God: Choose His Direction
In these verses we’ve looked at choosing God’s direction.
- Proverbs 3:6– In submitting our ways to God, in turn He directs our paths.
- Hosea 6:3– When we acknowledge who God is, He is faithful to direct our ways.
- Proverbs 16:3– When we commit everything we do to God, He helps us with our burdens and prospers our plans.
- Jeremiah 10:23– It’s not in our makeup as a humans to direct our path. We are created to depend on Him.
- Isaiah 48:17– God has all the data to discern what we need. He knows what is best for us.
- Psalm 37:23-24– He protects us from falling. Even when we slip, He is there to make our path better.
There are so many reasons for us to trust God and choose His direction. These are a few to consider as we draw closer to God in our relationship with Him.
Conclusion to Proverbs 3:5-6
I love these verses. They give guidance that brings me back to the Lord when I need it.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (my translation)
Trust in the Lord wholeheartedly without wavering, We can trust in God’s perfect wisdom because He is faithful. We have to know who God is and submit to Him. Then we have all the benefits in choosing His direction.
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