A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Tuesday,
January 5,
2021
"Trust
and Confidence"
Message summary: Today's message we consider the blessing
of trust.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him" (Jeremiah 17:7). "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).
Today's proverb is often quoted for those who are graduating or about to embark on a new path. Jack, a longtime friend, often referred to this passage as his favorite verse. It's also a truth that brings assurance to our hearts no matter what we are going through or where we are on life's journey, young or old. And certainly it is a good verse to consider as we face the transition into a new year. We need to consider the great blessing of trust. Indeed, as Jeremiah wrote, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him"
The book of Proverbs is full of wise sayings, many that are easily memorized, that will keep us on the right track as we apply them to our lives. We recall from Bible College the definition of a Proverb is a "short pithy saying." Pithy is listed in the Microsoft Office dictionary system with synonyms such as "terse, to the point, succinct."
In an overall sense Proverbs 3:5-6 always speaks to our situation. However there are those acute times when we desperately need the Lord’s specific direction and this verse becomes even more directive and meaningful in our lives. Many of our readers today are dealing with the inconstancies of life such as financial difficulties, problems at work, an unemployment situation, a loved one serving in a military combat zone, a troubling family matter or a major health concern.
The present political landscape contributes to many concerns and even anxiety for many of us. We seek to understand these matters before us but often understanding evades us. On the national and international front we see an exponential increase in absolute craziness which seems to defy understanding!
This wonderful Proverb has three commands followed by a promise.
The Commands:
For me it's actually not at all hard to comprehend the meaning of these three clauses, but consistent personal application is another matter! Consider these questions:
* Am I really trusting in the Lord with all my heart?
* (Or) Am I leaning (relying) on my own understanding?
* Am I really acknowledging Him in all my ways (day by day, moment by moment)?
The last clause is a great promise leading to confidence and peace:
The simple, straightforward promise in the text is that "He shall direct your paths". Our responsibility is to trust and obey. When we do so, we can be absolutely assured that God will direct our paths and that brings peace!
We are still working at fully applying this verse. Frankly, we expect to be working on this until we receive the upward call! But we can testify to the veracity of God’s promise. He has directed our paths and we have an assurance that He always will as we trust Him wholeheartedly. Today, early in 2021, we encourage each reader to accept this truth in regard to matters in your life and rejoice with us in His steadfast love and care.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Listen
to this message on your audio player."Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him" (Jeremiah 17:7). "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).
Today's proverb is often quoted for those who are graduating or about to embark on a new path. Jack, a longtime friend, often referred to this passage as his favorite verse. It's also a truth that brings assurance to our hearts no matter what we are going through or where we are on life's journey, young or old. And certainly it is a good verse to consider as we face the transition into a new year. We need to consider the great blessing of trust. Indeed, as Jeremiah wrote, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him"
The book of Proverbs is full of wise sayings, many that are easily memorized, that will keep us on the right track as we apply them to our lives. We recall from Bible College the definition of a Proverb is a "short pithy saying." Pithy is listed in the Microsoft Office dictionary system with synonyms such as "terse, to the point, succinct."
In an overall sense Proverbs 3:5-6 always speaks to our situation. However there are those acute times when we desperately need the Lord’s specific direction and this verse becomes even more directive and meaningful in our lives. Many of our readers today are dealing with the inconstancies of life such as financial difficulties, problems at work, an unemployment situation, a loved one serving in a military combat zone, a troubling family matter or a major health concern.
The present political landscape contributes to many concerns and even anxiety for many of us. We seek to understand these matters before us but often understanding evades us. On the national and international front we see an exponential increase in absolute craziness which seems to defy understanding!
This wonderful Proverb has three commands followed by a promise.
The Commands:
1)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Trust requires us to have faith and confident
assurance that God is working through a matter. It
is not in the circumstance or our own heart that
we place our trust, but the object of our trust is
"in the Lord". Are we to partially trust
God and partially rely on our own abilities or
wisdom? No! God wants us to trust Him with "all
our heart".
2) “Lean not on your own understanding.” I consider the times when I thought I understood a matter, only to find out later I was wrong. When we lean on our own understanding we often get things wrong. We may start to worry, become afraid, grow desperate, make wrong choices, or base our actions on false assumptions which complicates matters even more. Our understanding is always limited, often flawed, and cannot give us an accurate view.
3) “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” In our thoughts, our speech, and our actions may others see that God is the central figure of our lives. Let there be no doubt as to who or what motivates us to do what we do and say what we say. May Christ be preeminent in everything we do.
2) “Lean not on your own understanding.” I consider the times when I thought I understood a matter, only to find out later I was wrong. When we lean on our own understanding we often get things wrong. We may start to worry, become afraid, grow desperate, make wrong choices, or base our actions on false assumptions which complicates matters even more. Our understanding is always limited, often flawed, and cannot give us an accurate view.
3) “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” In our thoughts, our speech, and our actions may others see that God is the central figure of our lives. Let there be no doubt as to who or what motivates us to do what we do and say what we say. May Christ be preeminent in everything we do.
For me it's actually not at all hard to comprehend the meaning of these three clauses, but consistent personal application is another matter! Consider these questions:
* Am I really trusting in the Lord with all my heart?
* (Or) Am I leaning (relying) on my own understanding?
* Am I really acknowledging Him in all my ways (day by day, moment by moment)?
The last clause is a great promise leading to confidence and peace:
The simple, straightforward promise in the text is that "He shall direct your paths". Our responsibility is to trust and obey. When we do so, we can be absolutely assured that God will direct our paths and that brings peace!
We are still working at fully applying this verse. Frankly, we expect to be working on this until we receive the upward call! But we can testify to the veracity of God’s promise. He has directed our paths and we have an assurance that He always will as we trust Him wholeheartedly. Today, early in 2021, we encourage each reader to accept this truth in regard to matters in your life and rejoice with us in His steadfast love and care.
I’m
so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, when I lean on my own
understanding I fall prey to thinking in the natural
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, health, intellect and every other
area of my life. You will bring to pass the plans
You have for me as I wholeheartedly trust You for
all that concerns me and those I love. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
We have been so blessed singing
this song in our church this last year.
Consider this refrain as you place your
trust in the Lord:
Yes I will, lift You high in the
lowest valley
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
For all my days, oh yes I will
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
For all my days, oh yes I will
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
To receive the
"Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday
through email see this
page to subscribe to our email list. You can also
subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or
through a Wordpress email subscription.
(See the email subscription on the right side
after opening this page)
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and
distribute any material on Daily Encouragement
Net, in part or in whole, in any format,
provided that you do not alter the wording in
any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of
reproduction. It is our desire to spread this
material, not protect or restrict it. We do
request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription
information intact.
We want to thank all who financially
support our ministry. We
realize there are many fine ministries and
causes requesting support but if the Lord
would lead you we surely need and appreciate
the financial support from our readers and
listeners. Our
ministry labor is comprised of approximately
half our time to Daily Encouragement and the
other half to our chaplaincy ministry to
companies for which we receive compensation.
Each of these ministries essentially is the
same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for
each of us. Our goal for many years is that
each would provide half of our ministry
expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters,
and for those who may not be concerned
regarding receiving an official tax
deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber".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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA