"Trust in the Lord"

Scripture Memory Challenge 

By Shelly Burke, Editor

The verse we’ve chosen for the February Scripture Memory Challenge is:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

In this verse God has given us a command, and a promise.

The command begins, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” I am thankful that I do not have to “lean on my own understanding”; so many times I desire something and only realize later that receiving it would not have been in the best interests of me or those around me.

In our own understanding we have just a miniscule snapshot of God’s plan. We are unable to see, in

our own understanding, what is in our future or the future of those around us. God however, is omniscient, all knowing. He knows how the events of yesterday, today and tomorrow will fit together for His good. 

One of my favorite Bible narratives is that of the Old Testament Joseph (found in Genesis 37 and 39-46). In his own understanding Joseph probably could not comprehend why God would allow his brothers to sell him into slavery. But the Bible tells us that Joseph trusted in the Lord and remained faithful to Him through years of captivity; Joseph eventually became the highest ranking official in Egypt and from this position he was able to save his family and many others from starvation during a seven year famine.

Likewise, in our own understanding, we might not be able to comprehend the death of a loved one, the breakup of a marriage, financial hardships, children who stray, or a severe illness or disease. We might not comprehend His purpose this side of heaven, but this is when we “trust in the Lord” and remember His promise of Romans 8:28, which says, “for those who love God all things work together for good…”  

The next part of this passage commands, “in all your ways acknowledge Him”. My study Bible defines “acknowledge” as “Apply what you have learned from the Lord in everything you do.”How? First, thank Him for His blessings and all He has done for you.

Then seek His will through prayer and Bible study. Listen for His still small voice. Study His word. Attend church and Bible class. Apply what you have learned in everything you do—work, play, relationships, finances, parenting—and incorporate Him into every part of your life.

And then the promise: “And He will make straight your paths.” This is very reassuring to me;  some days I’m filled with “what if’s” and questions and doubts about the path I’m on in my life. I can’t see the future to know how the decisions I make today will impact my future, and sometimes I’m afraid to make decisions for fear they’ll be the “wrong” ones. I haven’t bowled in many years but when I read God’s promise in this verse, I pictured a bowling alley with the bumpers (long inflated tubes) in the gutters. Bumpers are often used when kids are bowling as they prevent the bowling balls from going in the gutter, instead bouncing them back onto the “straight path”, the middle of the bowling alley.  When I trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him, He will keep my path straight, “bouncing” me back on the right path when I threaten to go into the “gutter.”

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