13th. July. 2022.Daily Devotions.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 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.
Today’s passage, perhaps the most famous in all of Proverbs, asks us to do the same thing, but to an extreme degree. Proverbs 3:5–6 instructs us, “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.” The three commands in these two verses are variations on the same theme. In the first place, Solomon tells us to trust in the Lord with “all our heart.” That is, we are to rely on God completely and totally with all our beings. Consistent with Proverbs’ use of metaphorical language, “heart” in this passage doesn’t refer to the physical muscle pumping blood through our bodies. Nor does it refer to our emotions, as it commonly does in English. Instead, “heart” is a metaphor for our mind, feelings, will, and personality. In this case, the heart is everything that makes a human a human.
Second, we must not “lean on our own understanding.” This is hard for most people because we tend to trust mostly in ourselves. Solomon assures us, though, that nothing but God is worthy of our trust, no matter how wise or intelligent we may be. Third, “in all your ways submit to him.” In all our actions, reactions, thoughts, and plans, we are to submit to the Lord. Are you seeing a theme here? The entirety of our being should be turning toward the Lord, relying on Him, and doing what He says. Solomon is giving us a whole-life, all-encompassing ethic of living in right relationship with God.
Time for a trust exercise. Consider in whom or in what you are trusting today. How can you trust God with all the circumstances in your life? What do you need to turn over to Him?
~ R L Meek.
Father, many of us were raised with a strong appreciation for self-sufficiency. But we are called to Christ-reliance, not self-reliance. Show us what it takes to truly trust You. Amen.
Let the door of our heart be always open to you, O Lord, that we may mark your entrance, embrace your presence, hear your voice, seek your strength and hold fast to you for ever. Amen.
~ Paul (Henry) Heath (1599-1643)
Loving God, you love, include, and seek to redeem and transform all, whether individuals, communities, or creation. Help us to trust that, wherever, however and whoever we are, there is a place for us within your love, and that this is equally true for our neighbours. Help us to see, as you see, that those who are different from us, or strangers amongst us, are still our neighbours. Help us to work out and live out every day what this might mean, by the grace and example of our Lord Jesus Christ; by the love, power, and compassion of God; and by the inspiring, connecting presence of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace, which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Sound Government
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care. To the Queen and all her ministers and members of the Cabinet, to First Ministers, Provost Convenors, Council Leaders, and Officers, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. Give grace to your servants, O Lord that they may serve our people with probity and goodness. We pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
