The Blessing of Wisdom as It Guides Our Path

KEY VERSE: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV)^[1]

Proverbs chapter 3, specifically this key verse, has challenged and helped me for many years. These two verses have become my life verses for well over thirty years. Proverbs 3:5,6 has not merely guided me but helped to strengthen my trust in God.

In chapter three, we find the Father’s third lecture to His Son: He admonished His Son to trust in the Lord Instead of leaning on His own understanding.

Let’s break down the critical verse into phrases and learn what God (the Father) is saying to His son (and daughters):

Trust in the Lord. The Hebrew word is bātah. “This word means ‘to trust, rely on, depend on,’ with the sense of being completely confident and feeling utterly safe.”^[2] We must realize that wealth, social connections, power, and status are inadequate. This recognition drives us to seek something beyond ourselves. Placing our trust in God instead of these earthly things demonstrates our faith in His character and acknowledges His reliability above all we have or achieve.
With all your heart. Deuteronomy 6:5 is part of an Israelite prayer called the Shema. It’s a beautiful prayer, and Jesus quotes it in Matthew 22:37a when He says, “You shall love the Lord God with all your heart” (NIV). “Loving Him was to be wholehearted (with all your heart) and was to pervade every aspect of an Israelite’s [and our] being and life (soul and strength).”^[3] This phrase tells us we need to be committed to Him. I love baseball, and I watch as many games as I can. While watching, I enjoy seeing passionate players playing the game with their whole hearts. They are committed and play with every ounce of strength. That’s precisely how we must love the Lord—committed, all out, and with passion.
Lean not on your own understanding. Author and professor Jonathan Akin wrote, “Trust God, not yourself. Foolishness is trusting in your own mind and heart (Proverbs 28:26). Wisdom starts with recognizing that you don’t have it and looking to God in humility for it. . . We think that what is best for us is autonomy and the power to choose what to do with our own lives, but Proverbs says that is suicidal. What seems right to us usually ends up wrecking us.”^[4] Instead of fixating on your circumstances and trying to figure out what to do and when to do it, turn to God for guidance. Ask Him to reveal His will and direction for your life. Pray and place your trust in God, as reasoning often leads to confusion. Trying to control what only God can manage can overwhelm us. Rather than getting lost in our thoughts and driving ourselves to frustration, we should find peace in trusting the One who holds all answers.
In all your ways acknowledge Him. The Hebrew word for acknowledge is nakar. It means “to know, regard, recognize, pay attention to, be acquainted with.”^[5] Acknowledge refers to an intimate relationship. This relationship with God is so intimate. Bible commentator Jim Newheiser wrote, “We are not merely to acknowledge God’s lordship over our religious life; we are to bring God’s truth to bear on every aspect of life. We trust him in how we run our families, our education, our careers, our finances, and our friendships.”^[6] I must admit having cancer has changed me. Every day, I wake up in the morning and acknowledge what God is doing in my life as I battle this disease. I’m more grateful for His goodness than ever before, and I know He is working to bring good out of the battle with this disease.
He shall direct your paths. The word “direct” is often translated as “make smooth” or “straight.” God directs our paths when we trust Him with all our hearts. He directs our paths when we don’t lean on our own understanding, and we acknowledge Him in everything we do. God directs our paths when we are obedient to His word, His will, and His ways. God guides and directs us through the wisdom in Proverbs and throughout the Bible. His guidance comes from His Word, not separate from it. The previous sentence is a crucial point to understand. If this were not true, emphasizing God’s written commandments in Proverbs and the rest of the Bible would be pointless. Instead of relying on prayer alone for a unique sign from God, we should turn to the Scriptures for His guidance.

How Can We Put These Few Verses into Action?

- Regular Bible Study: Commit to studying the Bible daily to understand God’s guidance and wisdom.

- Prayer and Reflection: Combine your prayers with reflection on Scripture, seeking God’s direction and right path through His Word.

- Life Application: Actively apply the teachings and principles of the Bible to your daily life, allowing God’s Word to shape your decisions and actions.

- Surrender Control : Consciously remind yourself to surrender control of your life’s uncertainties to God, especially when you feel anxious.

- Reflect on Past Faithfulness Keep a journal of instances where God has guided you in the past. This can serve as a reminder of His faithfulness during tough times.

Proverbs chapter 3 is a heartfelt exhortation from a father to his son, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and trust in God. The chapter begins by urging the reader to keep God’s commandments and teachings close to heart, promising a life of peace and longevity. It underscores the value of loyalty, kindness, and faithfulness, encouraging the pursuit of wisdom, understanding, and discipline. The father advises his son to honor the Lord with his wealth, to accept God’s correction as a sign of His love, and to cherish wisdom as it leads to happiness, safety, and a well-guided life.

Verses 5 and 6 are pivotal in this chapter, highlighting the essence of complete trust in God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” These verses emphasize the importance of relying entirely on God rather than one’s wisdom or understanding. By acknowledging God in every aspect of life and submitting to His guidance, believers are assured that He will direct their paths and lead them toward righteousness and success. This foundational trust is the key to navigating life wisely and securely.

^[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Proverbs 3:5–6.

^[2] William D. Mounce, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 746.

^[3] Jack S. Deere, “Deuteronomy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 274.

^[4] Jonathan Akin, Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 42–43.

^[5] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 130.

^[6] Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 61.