in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
52 Proverbs in 52 Weeks – Week 12
This week’s theme: Trusting God’s Plan
Last week Proverbs 3:5 encouraged us to place our trust in the one and only God, the very Creator of the Universe and all that resides within, and not to rely on our own understanding. This week’s verse, Proverbs 3:6, completes that thought. Let’s look at the two verses together:
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. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
As we mentioned last week, one of the dangers of living in our technologically advanced world is that we start thinking we’re pretty smart and we’ve got it all figured out. In other words, we lean on our own understanding. That mindset is a form of pride. It takes humility to admit that there are aspects of God’s creation, even His very existence, that we’re simply not capable of understanding. I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
Recognizing that God’s thoughts and plans are beyond our understanding puts us in the right mindset to apply Proverbs 3:6–to humbly submit to Him in all we do. By placing our trust in God and letting Him take the lead in all aspects of our lives (our families, our work, our hobbies, our time, our money, …), we can be sure we’re on the right path. We may not always understand the path that God has chosen (again, see Isaiah 55:8-9), but we can trust that His plan is perfect.
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter:
