November 13, 2026
Starting this one at 26 degrees and maybe getting up to 60 for a high, the stiff south breeze will rob some of that warmth. Tomorrow, we lose another 10 degrees but keep the wind.
Let’s begin today’s study with Proverbs 3:5, a verse that we should all set to memory, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” This verse is one of the “golden nuggets” of Scripture. As such, we will need to dissect it word-by-word.
“Trust” – Literally meaning, “to inspire confidence.” Walking with the LORD should cause a follower to become more and more confident in God’s ability to bring good from every situation, or as I often remind myself, “God’s got this!”
The primary object of our “trust” is the “LORD.” In the Hebrew language, this word is determined to be an “absolute,” meaning that God never changes who He is. You can absolutely depend upon the “LORD” to always act within the parameters of whom He is. The word “LORD” implies ownership. Because God is “LORD” He has ultimate authority over everyone and everything. It’s all His!
Then there is that nifty little word “all.” Not some, nor even most, but “all.” A word that implies completeness. To “trust in the Lord with all your heart,” means to completely “trust” Him. So, then a question seems to be appropriate here, “Do I?” “Do you?” Do we have complete trust that God is in full control of our situation? God’s got this!”
And then once again, Soloman reminds us that this “trust” actively lives in the very center of our being. This isn’t just an intellectual “trust,” it’s a life-trust. As such, I am not to worry and fret – no anxiety! No anxiety about what is going to happen to my life, my possessions, not even what is going to happen to my nation. For you see, if He is my LORD, none of these things actually belong to me, they are all under the control of the sovereign Ruler!
The next step is found in verse 6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Once again, there is that pesty little word, “all.” Had the Holy Spirit meant often or most of the time, don’t you suppose He would have said it that way?
To “acknowledge” is to “reveal, to be known.” Simply stated, to “acknowledge Him” is to recognize, to admit that He is in full control of every moment of every day, all the way into eternity. Perhaps look at it this way, when we are “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfector of life,” (Heb. 12:2) it becomes easier to stop in the midst of a difficult situation and to confess “LORD, I’m trusting you, not myself.”
For when we fully “trust” the “LORD” of our life, He “makes our paths straight.” The word “straight” implies “smooth, with no dangerous curves.” Yesterday, on my way to help a friend with his cattle, I traveled on twelve miles of extremely washboardy road. Up hills, and down hills, chopping all of the way, not much fun. However, the fellowship at the end of that road was great.
You see my friends, sometimes the road of life is filled with washboards, hills, and even dangerous curves. Yet, if we “trust in the LORD” to get us to our destination, there is most often a blessing at the end of the journey. Oh, and by the way, quite often there is a blessing in the journey as well. You see my friends, our loving Heavenly Father wants us to enjoy each day’s journey, even if the road is rough. And if we keep our “heart” set upon Him and what He is doing within us and through us, every mile of the journey becomes another part of the great adventure called life!
I know, for some, to fully “trust” God feels like you are losing control, and that scares you. That’s O.K. Remember His words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Did you catch the “wherever”? We are to live each moment of our life as if Jesus is right here beside us, because He is! You see, to be under God’s control is to be fully in control.
Enjoying the journey with you, Neal
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