Trust in the Lord! He is always trustworthy, faithful, and unchangeable. His Word is forever true. His love is perfect. He is good all the time. Trust is a choice, not a feeling. "Trust" encompasses allegiance & submission, confidence & conviction, expectation & hope, faith & reliance.
God wants us to trust Him with all our heart (wholehearted commitment)! Total trust and complete confidence in God lead to perfect peace! "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:3-4) Do you trust God to meet all of your needs? Do you trust God when you're afraid, afflicted, confused, or overwhelmed? Do you trust God when your health is failing, your heart is hurting, or your loved ones are dying? Trust God at all times...in good times and in bad times. Even when you don't see God's hand, trust His heart.
Do not lean (depend) on your own understanding (limited, unreliable human understanding which usually operates in ignorance without God's counsel). Remember that God sees the whole picture while we only see what's here and now. Lean on Him and His infinite wisdom. Moreover, He is the One who has all the power and strength to help us.
Acknowledge Him in all your ways. Do we recognize His presence, guidance, and grace in our everyday lives? Do we gratefully acknowledge His grace, mercy, and blessings as we receive them? Give God all the glory. Acknowledge that all we have come from Him and surrender all to Him. "Remember that, as sinful creatures, being criminals and traitors--we have no 'rights'. Consequently, everything short of hell--is a mercy! Everything but eternal punishment--is a favor! How many favors and mercies you receive--and how few praises you render! How many mercies are given you--and how few acknowledgments you make!" (James Smith)
He will make your paths straight. It doesn't say, "He will make your paths easy or smooth" :). God loves us and wants the best for our lives. He knows the best way to accomplish His plan and purpose for our lives. He will direct our paths. God will guide us to make the right decisions as we trust Him, submit to Him, and acknowledge Him.
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:5)
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)
We must not be arrogant or conceited about our own wisdom. It's foolish to think that we can rely on our wisdom alone without guidance from God or without advice from others. It's indeed folly to believe we're so wise that we don't need God's help and direction. "The great hindrance to all true wisdom is the thought that we have already attained it." (Plumptre) Instead, we are to fear (reverence) the Lord and His wisdom (which includes shunning evil). A truly wiser person reveres the Lord and stays away from evil. Doing so will promote not only the health of the soul but also the health of the body because it would prevent many ills that are caused by sins and lusts.
"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8) No fire/heat or drought (or any crisis) in life can destroy those who are rooted in the Living Water! Let your faith repel fear and worries. Trust God in the storm; trust God despite silence. He's always there and He always cares! Keep trusting God and relying on Him completely.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my mighty Rock and Fortress Whom I can always rely upon and trust in! Thank You for being my Shelter and Refuge in Whom I can always find rest! Please help me lean not on my own understanding and strength but on Your perfect wisdom and strength. When I am afraid or worried, please help me lay all my burdens down at Your feet and trust You totally. Thank You for never forsaking me! Your presence gives me comfort and joy, peace and courage. Lead me, Lord, to do Your will each day. May my life honor & glorify You and magnify Your Name!
"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the 'little' things of life?" (M.E.Howard)
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