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Friday, February 10, 2006


"Trusting in the Lord"

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Yesterday we shared over the phone with a long-time friend. Jack and Chris and their three children were a young family when they became a part of our church in northern Pennsylvania in the early eighties. They moved on shortly before we left that community in 1993 and have moved several times since.  We've also moved a couple times but thankfully we have stayed in contact. They are now in their fifties and continue to serve the Lord and greatly rejoice that all three of their grown children are serving the Lord as well.  What a blessing!

It's interesting what you remember about people but I specifically recall that Jack's favorite Scripture verse was our daily text. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  As I recall he would often use it as an intro when he would make a public testimony of Christ's work in his life.

There is a sense that this verse, in an overall way, always speaks to our situation. However there are those acute times when we desperately need His direction in life and it becomes especially meaningful. I'm sure there are many readers today who are dealing with a financial crisis, an employment situation, a difficult family matter or a major health concern that is heavy on your heart.  We so need our paths directed!

This wonderful Proverb has three commands followed by a promise. My responsibility is to obey the commands. I can be absolutely assured that God will keep His promise! 

I am called to:

    1)  Trust in the Lord with all my heart.
    2)  Lean not on my own understanding.
    3)  Acknowledge Him in all my ways.

For me it's not at all hard to understand the meaning of these three clauses, but application is another matter!

     1)  Am I really trusting in the Lord with all my heart?
     2)  It's so hard not to lean on my own understanding!
     3)  And day by day, moment by moment am I really acknowledging Him?

In my life after nearly 35 years of walking with the Lord I am still working on this verse. But I can testify to the veracity of the promise.  He has directed my paths and I have an assurance that He always will. Today I encourage each reader to accept this truth in regard to your own situation and rejoice with me in His steadfast love and care.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, when I lean on my own understanding I fall prey to the natural man and limit the work of the supernatural.  But when I trust You with all my heart I leave no room for second guessing.  Today I want to acknowledge Your presence in every area of my life…family, work, relationships, my alone times.  You will bring to pass the divine plans You have for me as You direct all my ways.



Note from Brooksyne:  In my telephone conversation with my friend yesterday we both confessed that as believers who've walked with the Lord most of our lives it is very easy to say "I'm going to trust God to work out my situation."  It is quite another to completely live by that statement.  We have a tendency to want to get "our" plans worked out according to the way we think it should be and then we give God the rest of the matter to place His blessing or further perfect.



Back in the eighties we sang many Scripture verses verbatim.  Today's verse was one of them and I am sure many in that church to this day can recall this verse based on singing it.



I am also pondering how other people in my life are known for Scripture verses they often quoted. My Aunt Ruth, who is now at home with the Lord, sure comes to mind as she was always quoting, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."  A cherished memory I have is taking my Mom to see her in a nursing home in Windsor, Missouri.  She would reach her arms up from her wheelchair to draw me close and hug me and say, "Well, how are you Darling?"  (I hope you have an Aunt like that!)



Recommended resource for marriages:
300204: The Four Seasons of Marriage: Which Season of Marriage are You in?The Four Seasons of Marriage: Which Season of Marriage are You in?  By Gary Chapman
Summer, winter, spring, fall - which season of marriage are you in? Looking at relationships in terms of passages of the heart, Chapman guides couples through the joys, struggles, and changes that can come at any point during their lifelong journey. His fresh insights will help you and your spouse deepen your love and strengthen your communication. 250 pages, hardcover from Tyndale.

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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