Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
That is one of my favorite Bible verses. Partially because it is one of the first I memorized, but also because of the message. I love it.
Let’s break it down and really go over it. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” All your heart. Everything. No exceptions.
Sometimes this can be easier than others. Yes, in the grand scheme, we can trust God with our life, but do we trust Him with the day by day. When circumstances make us late or people hold us up, do we still trust? When a business deal doesn’t work out or children misbehave, do we still trust? Maybe it’s even something as simple as burning supper – something that was entirely in our court that we mishandled or messed up, do we still trust God?
Trusting God doesn’t mean that we throw caution to the wind and expect Him to fulfill our every need. God helps those who help themselves. Or to put it another way, you reap what you sow. If you’re not going to put in the effort, don’t expect God to come rushing to your rescue.
But if you’ll give it your best and seek to constantly improve, prepare for incredible results! God has amazing blessings just waiting for us, we just have to give Him our best!
How do you trust with all your heart?
I think of it as giving everything to God. Your expectations, your possessions, even your every thought. Give it all to God, include Him in everything. Talk to Him constantly and seek His counsel. Thank Him for His guidance and blessings. Ask Him to direct your steps.
One of my favorite things to ask Him is that He would make His plans my dreams. I can’t think of a better dream to have than what He has planned for me!
Unlike anything or anyone else in the world, you can trust God blindly. No reservations, no holds barred. You can trust Him with all your heart. Every little whim, hint of a dream, or plan. Give them to Him knowing that you can trust Him with your life.
Do not lean on your own understanding.
Such an interesting phrase – and vitally important to remember. God gave us a guidebook for life, the Bible. He gave us Ten Commandments and story upon story and teaching upon teaching of what He expects from His people. His Word is filled with what He looks for and want to see in His people and also what He hates and what He doesn’t want to see.
When we use the Bible as our frame of reference, when we let it shape our perspective, we set ourselves up to win. God’s enemies become our enemies, what He hates we hate, and what He wants from His people we give our all to give Him!
Search the Scriptures and get to know Him. Let His Word shape your life. Don’t lean on your own understanding, lean on His Word.
Perspective is important, but it can also be dangerous. When we look at things from God’s perspective, we know right from wrong, we can discern circumstances based on His word. But when we look at things from our own limited perspective, from the way the world might warp things making sin justifiable, we set ourselves up for disillusionment and failure. Don’t make that mistake. Renew your mind with God’s Word. Make God’s enemies your enemies.
The world perverts things.
It glorifies evil, encourages foolishness, and confuses weak-minded people. But when you look at the world through God’s eyes, God gives you a special perspective. With God’s perspective you can keep His teaching and guidelines at the forefront of your mind. When the world suggests or encourages something you are unsure about, you can discern how this idea fits in with God’s Word.
God’s Word is limitless and unending. Fill your life with it continually. You will learn new things and discover new mysteries you have never considered. God is infinite – you will never reach the end of learning about Him. But you must pursue Him, search Him out. Learn His ways and His Word and build your life around it.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
Trust Him in all things, in all areas, and with all your heart. Every step of the way.
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Have you seen Facing the Giants? I highly recommend it: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2017/06/07/facing-the-giants/. One of my favorite things about the movie is the reminder to give God your very best. Not try at something, not try hard and then stop, but your very best. It is really inspiring!