Fully Relying on God

Bible Passage: Proverbs 3:5–6

Summary: Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to lean on our own understanding, promising that He will direct our paths when we submit to Him.

Application: This sermon reminds Christians that in times of uncertainty and decision-making, placing complete trust in God rather than our own limited understanding can lead to divine guidance and peace.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true wisdom begins with reliance on God and emphasizes the importance of faith in the decision-making process, demonstrating that our own understanding can lead us astray, while God's guidance is perfect.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme highlights Jesus as the ultimate guide and source of wisdom, showing that through Him, we can fully trust in God and receive direction in our lives. He embodies the path we are to follow, transforming our lives when we let go of our own understanding.

Big Idea: When we fully rely on God and trust in His wisdom, He will lead us on the right paths, causing us to flourish in our journey of faith.

Fully Relying On God

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Introduction

Dear beloved community, today we gather to reflect on the profound and transformative act of fully relying on God. In our everyday lives, we often find ourselves burdened by worries and uncertainties. Yet, there is a divine invitation extended to each of us to place our trust entirely in the hands of our Creator. We live in a world where self-reliance is often celebrated. However, Scripture teaches us that true wisdom comes from depending fully on God. Today, we will explore what it means to trust in the Lord completely, why we should not lean on our understanding, and how submitting to Him leads to divine direction.

The Meaning of Full Reliance

To fully rely on God means to trust in God's wisdom, timing, and provision. It is a total surrender of our fears and anxieties, recognizing that God's plan is greater than our own. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "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."

· What is trust? Trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone. To trust God is to have unwavering confidence in His plans and promises.

· With all your heart: This means total dependence, not partial trust. Half-hearted trust leads to uncertainty and fear.

· Biblical examples: Abraham trusted God’s promise of a son despite his old age (Genesis 15:6). David trusted God when facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

Trusting in God's Wisdom

God's wisdom surpasses human understanding. When we rely on God, we acknowledge that our vision is limited, but His is infinite. Jeremiah 29:11 declares, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." By trusting in God's wisdom, we gain the assurance that our lives are guided by a loving and omniscient Creator. God’s Wisdom is Eternal and Perfect

Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Unlike human wisdom, which is limited and flawed, God's wisdom is perfect, infinite, and always aligned with His purpose.

God’s Wisdom is Found in His Word for Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

The Bible is our ultimate source of wisdom. When we read and meditate on God’s Word, we gain insight into His will and His ways.

Trusting in God's Timing

Often, we become impatient and want things to happen according to our own schedule. However, God's timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." When we lean on God, we learn to wait patiently and faithfully for His timing, knowing that He makes all things beautiful in His time. God has set an appointed time for everything in our lives. Even delays and waiting periods serve a purpose. Galatians 4:4 – "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son." Even Jesus’ birth happened at the exact right time in history, showing that God’s plans unfold at the perfect moment. Not only must we trust in God’s Timing, but we must also wait on God’s Timing.

Waiting on God’s Timing Strengthens Us

Isaiah 40:31 – "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary"

Waiting on God is not passive—it builds our faith, endurance, and reliance on Him.

Psalm 27:14 – "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

When we wait, we learn patience and develop deeper trust in God’s faithfulness.

Trusting in God's Provision

Trusting in God's provision means believing that He will supply all our needs according to His perfect wisdom and timing. Throughout Scripture, we see how God provides for His people, not just materially but also spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

God is Our Ultimate Provider Philippians 4:19 says "And my God will supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

A little child once complained about being unable to reach the cookies on the top shelf. Instead of being frustrated, the mother told her, ‘Just ask your father for help.’ The child giggled, realizing she had simply been too prideful. This simple interaction reflects our relationship with God; sometimes we forget that asking Him for help is the key to reaching our ‘cookies’ in life. It’s all about relying fully on Him!

God promises to meet our needs—not always our wants, but what is truly necessary for our well-being and His purpose.

Matthew 6:31-33 – "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

This scripture reassures us that when we fully rely on God, we can rest in the certainty of His provision.

The Promise: God Will Direct Your Paths

God’s direction brings clarity: He provides guidance and wisdom to those who trust Him.

Not always immediate, but always faithful: God may not reveal the entire path, but He provides light for each step. God will provide for us direction through HIS WORD!!!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness."

The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the clearer His direction becomes.

God Directs Through the Holy Spirit

John 16:13 – "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth."

The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, convicting, encouraging, and giving wisdom when we seek God’s guidance.

Romans 8:14 – "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, helping us make decisions in alignment with God’s will.

God Directs Through Open and Closed Doors

Revelation 3:7-8 – "What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open."

Sometimes, God leads us by opening opportunities or closing doors to protect us from the wrong path.

Acts 16:6-7 – Paul and his companions were prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in certain places, showing that God redirects us for His purpose.

God Directs Through Circumstances

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Even difficulties and unexpected detours can be God’s way of leading us to the right path.

Genesis 50:20 – Joseph told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."

What may seem like setbacks are often setups for God’s greater plan.

Blessings of following God’s direction: Peace, purpose, and spiritual growth.

Conclusion

As I get ready to close this message. You know in the story of David and Goliath, David didn't just rely on his slingshot. He relied on God’s strength. He was a young shepherd, seemingly small next to the giant, but his faith and trust In GOD gave him the courage to face an impossible situation.

We need to be reminded that sometimes it takes a childlike faith to conquer the giants in our lives, and that’s the joy of fully relying on God—He turns our weaknesses into strengths!

Fully relying on God is an ongoing journey of faith.

It requires daily surrender and a deep trust in His loving care.

As we leave today,

let us commit to placing our hearts and lives in God's hands, knowing that He is faithful and true. May we find peace and strength in His presence, and may our lives be a testament to the power of trusting in Him. Amen.