Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding... in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”
This week, Michael writes that as Christians influencing a fallen and unbelieving world for Christ, our first priority is to trust in the Lord. To influence others, we must first influence our own hearts by trusting in the Lord. A humble and grateful heart is the prerequisite for approaching God’s throne of grace. Therefore, be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
God reserves a remnant in every generation to be His living epistles ... His love letters known and read of all mankind. Men and women of this world are fans of sports teams or political parties they identify with and passionately cheer on to victory. However, God calls men and women of God as His fanatic disciples to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual gift He has given us as His elect destined for Heaven. As fans of our Lord and examples of His living Word, we are “not slothful in business, fervent (white hot) in spirt, serving the Lord.”
John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) took this verse to heart. He fervently believed what Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.” Someone asked him “why do thousands of people come to hear you preach?” Wesley responded, “I set myself on fire with the Holy Spirit and people come from miles around to watch me burn!” As men and women of God, our immediate families are our primary mission field.
Trusting in the Lord means that we trust in the object of our trust. We trust in the Lord God Jehovah and in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word of God made manifest in the flesh. Words have no significance without meaning. Jesus Christ is the meaning of “the Word”. He said, “you believe (put your trust) in God. Believe also in me.” In Matthew 11:28 he said, “come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
In trying times, many people turn to God. When they reach the end of their own abilities, they look for a “higher power” beyond themselves. God allows people either to kneel in prayer voluntarily or he allows circumstances and situations to bring them to their knees. Even though the world is experiencing a global pandemic, many people are turning to God for deliverance.
In the NIV translation of the Bible, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” It’s easy to pray for God’s direction to make our paths straight. However, before He can direct our paths, there are four things we are required to do to trust in the Lord. The NIV uses the word “your” four times in these two verses. God’s promise to make our paths straight depends on our obedience to His word in four things.
The first requirement is to “trust with all your heart.” To trust is to be willing and confident to believe in that which you determine to do. Trust is in the object of your trust. When you are driving your car and the “check engine” light comes on, you take your car to your mechanic. You “lean not unto your own understanding.” You “submit your way” unto your mechanic because you acknowledge that he knows more about car repair than you do. You trust that he will diagnose the problem and determine the root cause of failure. Trust is confidence that the object of your trust (your mechanic) will accomplish the desired outcome, that is, “making your path straight” by fixing your car.
The missionary to China, Hudson Taylor said, “either Jesus is Lord of all or he’s not Lord at all.” What if it were illegal to go to church? What if the government forbids you to read your bible in school? What if your body is wracked with pain? Would you still trust in the Lord? Do you put more trust in God’s Holy Word or in man’s word? Is God still Sovereign over all? Has God’s call changed? The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable and immutable ... God will not change His mind. His gifts and His calling are without repentance. Even when we stray from the truth of His Word, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let's continue Michael's message on trusting god in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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