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 your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6.
This passage speaks of things I have been receiving from the Lord and sharing with you in recent sermons. There is a difference between what your heart and soul know by faith, and what your mind understands and your body desires. They will contradict each other, operating in different realms. But the righteous shall live by faith.
Now we know that salvation is not the result of human choice. Rather, it is a miracle of God. To be saved is to have been chosen to receive the gift of faith to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. Faith is, I believe, given to the soul. King David wrote, “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Ps 62:1-2
This faith is not a gift that allows our souls to believe in God, but to believe God. We believe what He has said about His Son, the cross, the resurrection, and salvation. We believe God, by faith. And that faith never wavers. Therefore, our souls rejoice in their salvation. They will one Day see Almighty God face to face. Faith is an “anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Heb 6:19.
But the steadfast nature of your soul’s salvation does not translate to your mind and body. They are easily swayed by desire, deceit, ignorance, temptation, etc. Especially in this age of instant information, many seek to shape what we believe and how we behave. We must realize that the only Truth in this world is the knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. This knowledge is yours because of faith. Beyond that, we should not trust ourselves. “Lean not on your own understanding” is a reference to what your body desires to feel and to do, and the information that your mind has “acquired” from the world. Your mind and body will lead you astray. The fulfillment of this passage from Proverbs is to realize that this will always be the case. Therefore, by faith, we draw water from the well of salvation. Reaching to our very heart and soul, we call upon faith that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that if we acknowledge Him, He will make our paths straight. We must pray to Him, seek wisdom from Him, read His word for understanding and knowledge. Sing His praises! Acknowledge His majesty!
Satan’s world—with its worries and demands—works continually to reclaim the attention of your heart, mind, and body. You must be just as diligent to acknowledge the Lord in all your ways. The word “ways” refers to anything and everything that a typical day might demand of you. The way you should go to work, the way you handle your work day, the way you relate to others—including your spouse and family—the way you spend your time, the way you deal with problems, prayer, thanksgiving, and forgiveness. In all your ways, do not lean on your own understanding—not your flesh, or even your mind. Draw from the well of what your heart and soul know by faith. In all your ways, return to your first love—to the One who loved you first. Remind yourself that nothing else matters. Remember that He will direct your steps as you spend time with Him in prayer and praise. Just because we are Christians does not mean God will automatically make our paths straight. We live by faith. We must draw near. We lean on Him, not on ourselves. His Spirit within you is a spring, welling up to eternal life.
Leave a Reply