This verse is well known and often quoted. Hopefully, it is known to you for it is a key verse of instruction for living the Christian life. Oh, how I wish I could say that I trust in the Lord with all my heart all of the time. But, the truth is, I often find myself struggling with worry and fretting over what the future holds. If I let that go unchecked, it just escalates and causes me to become even more anxious and restless.
God wants us to choose to let Him be the One to carry our burdens. After all, He knows what the future holds and how to orchestrate all of the intricate details into a master plan. In this chapter of Proverbs, He gives us all the benefits of trusting our futures to Him.
-Length of days and years of life
-Peace
-Healing to our flesh
-Refreshment to our bones
This chapter gives us practical tools to help us be more trusting and faithful in our Christian walk.
-Don’t forget what God has taught you.
This is where we have to spend time in His Word and let it take root in our heart. “...let your heart keep my commandments” (v1)
-Have steadfast love and faithfulness
“ ...bind them about thy neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. “(V3)
Find ways to keep God’s Word where it is seen and pondered. Filter your thoughts and actions through His love.
-Every decision we make should be in keeping with God’s will. “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”(v6). This is where praying and talking to God helps us to discern His will.
-Make wise choices about what influences you. “turn away from evil” (v7) We save ourselves a lot of grief by walking away from wrong or evil influences.
-Remember where your blessings come from. “ honor the Lord with your wealth”. We should be good stewards of what God has blessed us with and charitable toward others with our resources.
-Be teachable and learn from God’s hand of discipline. “for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”(v12)
-Seek wisdom from God. “She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”(v18)
Trusting in the Lord brings the peace that allows us to be confident and to sleep well. “If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” ( v24)
That sounds so much better than being anxious and fretful. May God bless you as you learn to trust Him more and more. May you be blessed with straight paths and sweet slumber!