God Gives Direction When the Path is Unclear

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

                Have you ever heard the old cliché “Follow your heart”? This sounds really warm and fuzzy, even possibly romanticizing that there may be elements of authentic wisdom as we search the depths of our souls for answers to life’s questions. There is only one problem with the condition of the human heart as we are reminded by the prophet Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, we arrive back at Solomon’s original statement as he presents the first two key elements to walking in God’s ways, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not own your own understanding’ meaning don’t simply follow your own heart and worldly wisdom for direction. He then states a third key element in this process which says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him (God),” by means of praying and inviting the Lord to be a part of your daily, hourly, even momentary circumstances for the purpose of growing more closely with Him along life’s journey which has been His desire from the time you were created by Him and for Him. 
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            The final key element presented in the form of a promise, is that if we “Trust in the Lord, lean not on our understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways,” fully surrendering our lives to Him, “He will direct our path” of life. These essential elements regarding trusting God with our life’s journey will inevitably test our faith at times because the path ahead will not always be visible for long distances, clear of obstacles, or always consist of level terrain as the path of life will carry us through “hills and valleys” where God often does His greatest work within us. Our calling is to continue to trust whole-heartedly in Him, depending on His truth and promises, acknowledging Him for who He is, and continuing to take small steps of obedience on the paths He has laid out for us.
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Connecting Faith & Life:
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                Father, thank You for the promise that You will direct the paths of our lives as we trust, acknowledge, seek, and surrender our lives to Your will. Help us resist the temptation to walk through this life in our own understanding, but rather acknowledge Your ways and trust in Your infinite wisdom to lead us especially when the path seems so unclear. Lord, even during times of extended suffering, trials, and hardship, You promise to “restore our souls and to lead us in paths of righteousness for Your names’ sake.” (Psalm 23:3) May we continually trust in You to direct our paths moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day acknowledging our desperate need for Your guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.