The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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"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).

Brooksyne shares the intro to today's message:

Many years ago when Ester was in the hospital waiting room preparing for a blood test, we were waiting our turn when we overheard a conversation between a mother and her young daughter.

The little girl, three or four years old, was dressed up in a denim jumper with red gingham ruffles and her hair was pulled back into two little pigtails. As she sat on her mother's lap she began to ask questions: "What are they going to do to me, Mommy?" Her mother explained, "They're going to take blood from your arm." "How are they going to do that, Mommy?" She proceeded in describing the procedure in very simple terms.

The little girl began to cry so her mother asked, "Why are you crying when they haven't even done anything?" With a perplexed look she stared into her mother's eyes and asked, "Are they going to take my skin off?" The mother lovingly reassured her daughter that this was not going to happen. There were several of us in the room listening to this loving exchange and we broke into quiet laughter. The child was very entertaining in the barrage of questions she articulated at a very young age.

But from the little girl's perspective it seemed reasonable that to get to her blood you would need to take the skin off! As God is working on us we also have similar mistaken understandings and we try to lean on that. That's disastrous and leads to anxiety and fear. Her line of questioning is much like the conversation we have with God, whether we articulate it or just simply entertain those kinds of questions in our minds. We want to know what's going to happen to us, how it's going to happen, when it will take place, who will be involved and what the outcome will be. We really want to understand.

Ester was touched by the little girl's innocent questions and witnessed her observable fear of what was going to take place when it was her turn. Ester's name was called and she was seated in a room within view of this small child. As her blood was being drawn she rolled up her sleeve, took it like a brave soldier, and even waved at the little girl so she could see that it wasn't all that bad. On the way out Ester reassured her that she would be OK and learned that her name was Sarah Rose; a beautiful name for such a lovely child.  (I did remind Ester that when she frequently had her blood drawn at Sarah Rose's age it required me, along with the help of two other lab workers, to restrain her. She'd often go under the needle screaming for all to hear, "Jesus, help me!" It certainly caught the attention of the medical staff so I know it got God's attention as well.)

A wonderful Biblical principle is expressed in our daily text. Many of you have memorized it and perhaps, like myself, you have drawn strength from it: "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).

Perhaps the hardest application of this verse, particularly in the time of trial, is not depending upon our own understanding. Certainly God provides us with understanding and much of it comes through spending time in prayer, in the Word, through being observant, and listening to others share their experiences. Whatever circumstance we're dealt we should seek to better understand so that we gain a heart of wisdom. It enables us to be more knowledgeable and better equips us to deal with the continuous challenges we face. It also helps us to be more compassionate toward those who deal with similar matters.

But the fact is, trusting in God can be very hard, especially when we have yet to understand His plan. We must trust our heavenly Father whose infinite knowledge and unlimited understanding will see us through the most perplexing and trying situations. We've experienced His grace time and time again, but, as the chorus of the old hymn says, "Oh, for grace to trust Him more".

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber