Proverbs 3 contains what are some of the most recognizable verses from the entirety of the book. You’ll find them on plaques in Hobby Lobby, on coffee mugs, and on t-shirts. The wisdom of these two verses will set the course of our lives to receive untold blessings from the Creator of the Universe, yet do we really take them to heart?

Proverbs 3:5-6 – 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 your paths straight.

In the Old Testament, when “Lord” is capitalized, it refers to God’s name of Yahweh, or Jehovah – the self-existent, eternal God. It is “the proper name of the one true God.” We are to entrust ALL of our heart to Him – all the secret parts, the dark parts, the lonely parts, the unhappy parts, the confused parts – letting the omniscient, all-powerful Father who created us have full sway and authority over our hearts.

We are not to lean on our own understanding. In other words, put no stock in what you think you know. Surrender all your ideas, thoughts and plans to Him. When this verse says “lean” it reminds me of when God chastised Israel for running to Egypt instead of relying on their God.

Isaiah 36:6 – Behold, you have relied on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him.

The visual is convicting. When we lean on our own understanding, it’s like putting all our weight on the broken ends of a sharp stick. It will pierce us, giving way beneath us. We will fall.

We are to acknowledge God in ALL our ways. To acknowledge is to the Hebrew word yāḏa, meaning to know, learn to know, to perceive and see, find out and discern, to discriminate, distinguish, to know by experience, to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess, to consider. It is speaking of a personal, intimate, covenant, committed kind of knowing, where we seek God’s heart and wisdom in ALL our ways. The pursuit of the knowledge of God is to be the passion of our lives, eclipsing all other lesser pursuits.

What is the reward for trusting God in this way?

He will make our paths straight. Other translations say, “He will direct your steps” (3:6). These steps will heal our body and refresh our bones (3:8). These steps will lead to “barns that are filled with plenty and vats that overflow” as we honor the Lord with our wealth (3:9-10). These steps will lead to the loving discipline of a Father as He corrects along the path He is leading us (3:11-12). On His path, we will walk in our way securely, and our feet will not stumble. We will lie down and not be afraid but will enjoy sweet sleep (3:23-24).

I often say, “God’s ways work.”

Are they working for you?

Are you trusting in the Lord with ALL your heart, or are there some parts of your inner life that you are withholding?

Are you leaning on your own understanding, making up your own theology of who God is, how this world came to be, who you are, and why you exist?

Are you acknowledging God in ALL your ways, pursuing Him, seeking to know Him more, or is your life filled with other pursuits?

Do not be wise in your own eyes…do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (3:7a,1-2)