“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Have you ever figured things out, only to realize that you were completely wrong? Most of the time, we just lack all the pieces to the puzzle. I am not sure about you, but I have to constantly rewind my thoughts. If I am not careful, they will mislead me more often than not. The word of God always guides us. Proverbs 3:5 states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

In all our desires and undertakings concerning this life and the life to come, we must place our trust in God’s wisdom, following His divine counsel and goodness. We must learn to lean on His omniscience and not our own thoughts and feelings…genuine faith perseveres, but our emotional decisions do not.

God promises to guide us with His divine counsel: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Wisdom comes from God above; we can rely on His faithfulness to always order our steps. 

When the Israelites went into captivity in Babylon, you can imagine the thoughts and input coming from all sources of gloom and doom; but God sent word by the prophet Jeremiah that they should guard their minds “For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.” Jeremiah 29:8” Seventy years being in captivity was quite daunting…but God already knew the plans He had to prosper and give His children a hope that far exceeded their greatest imaginations.

We serve the same faithful God today. As Malachi 3:6 reminds us, “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” With this assurance, we know that He sees and knows the way we should go—the way that is best. Therefore, it is essential to stay on our knees in prayer, seeking His guidance and understanding, not our own. Although we will falter in this life, God never fails!

So, let us check ourselves, and when we need to make decisions or understand the circumstances that we face; may we carefully follow the words of James 1:5 and seek God for wisdom and understanding. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

God bless us with peace and love.