Trust - The Way of God

Scripture Text Proverbs 3:5-6

     Intro: We have been talking in previous messages about the ways of God. Today we look at another way by which God works. It is the way of trust in Him through all life’s situations. 

 I.  We are to trust God. Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  Trust in means to have full reliance and dependence in God.

  a. Lean on – rely in God for support, stability.

  b. Confident - strong belief, full assurance in God that He will do all He has promised in His word.

 c. We are to lean on, trust and be confident in God with all our heart- (our inner most being, our    spirit man.)  The heart determines what a person does, his behavior in all circumstances. The Mind is - the seat of reasoning, understanding, intention, purpose and attitude. It determines our true character, personality. We are to reason, make decisions based on God’s view of whatever we are facing at the time.  We think about His perspective of the situation.                                                        

       d. Trials, temptations, sicknesses, and situations in life are to be conquered by our confident belief in God.  We do not see God, but we lean on, trust and have confidence Him. These words are in the present continuous tense. It is continuous action, continuous trust—a trust that continues on and on. It is belief in and never ceasing to be confident, always leaning on God at all times. When we continue to have this assurance, confidence and trust in God, then we are fully relying on Him. We are doing what He says and He will bless us accordingly. We are standing firm in His presence and power to conquer and to carry us through all trials. We do not rely, or look for support and stability in ourselves or someone else. We are not to rely on our own insight, comprehension, understanding or discernment. We don’t have full knowledge of all the facts surrounding the things we have to face in life.

    II. In all our ways we are to acknowledge God. Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

     a. Know (the value of God and be acquainted with Him.) We are to know He is the    all-powerful One to do whatever needs to be done in every area of our lives.

      He is well able to handle and take care of whatever the problem might be.

      Know He is everywhere at one time. He is always aware of what is going on      concerning us.

      b. Recognize (identify - determine) God as in control of everything in this world.

      c. Acknowledge (confess) the presence of God in our lives at all times. He will never leave us. Psalms 46:1 (NKJV) God is our refuge (our shelter from the storm) and strength, (He is our power by reason of influence, authority, resources,) A very present (available) help in trouble.

   d. He shall direct your paths. God will regulate the course of our daily path and control our every step. He will make plain the way we are to go. The Lord will guide you to the final goal of life. God gives wisdom and with it the task of making wise decisions; these are the two aspects of guidance in wisdom teaching. There is no hint of guidance that bypasses the duty of making decisions. The first decision is to seek God’s wisdom. Second decision is to be obedient to what God is saying.

 But thank God, human decisions do not overrule the protection of God’s providence.

Invitation: Father, help us to trust You more each day we have left on this earth. May we learn to completely trust You know matter the situation or circumstance we may face in this life. Forgive our sin of not always fully trusting You. If there is one reading this message today who has not trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, may this be the day that they fully trust in Jesus as their Savior!