Proverbs 3:5-6

The way we know we are growing in wisdom in growing in our trust of the Lord.

Intro: We are embraking on our last night, and I know some of you are happy and some may be sad. I want you to know how much I appreciate you. You all are an encouragement to me, and when I hear your stories at campfire each night, I am reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” In the heat of this life, its easy to fold. There is a tendency to look at life through two different lenses: nihilism and absurdism. Nihilism says that life is meaningless and why fight the system. Absurdism says that meaning is a human longing, but there is no meaning in the universe. So, rebel through actions and experiences.

In our study of wisdom this week, we have looked at the book of Proverbs to help us understand how we can navigate the complexities of life with competence and confidence in the Lord.

1.) True Wisdom starts with a wonder and awe of God: Not merely facts, or even warm fuzzy feelings. It’s really thinking deeply on his ways, works, and will through His word. (Proverbs 1:7. Proverbs 9:10)

2.) Wisdom is calling us to look at a person, not a principle. In a world of endless noise, there is joy in resting in the truth that Jesus is our wisdom. He makes it possible for us to walk in wisdom. (Proverbs 8)

3.) Wisdom leads us to find our safety and security in Jesus for all of life and eternity. He is our strong tower. (Proverbs 18:10)

Transition: Now, as we approah our last night chapel, let’s look at what may be the most familiar verse in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

This verse is found in a section of the book that calls for a child to hear the instruction of their parent, and lock it away in their hearts so that as they grow up and begin to experience life, they draw from this wellspring of knowledge. This knowledge brings about understanding (insight, prudence, discretion).

These verse are very simple, and honestly they probably don’t need too much explanation because in a nutshell, they tell us that we are to trust God completely, to understand the limits of our own understanding, and to trust God to make the way before us straight.

Transition: Let’s consider these three statements for tonight, and pray that we’ll be honest with ourselves about what it, or who it is, that we really depend on.

1.) True wisdom leads us to fully trust the Lord in all areas of life.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

EXEGESIS: The word trust is a word that teaches us to both fully believe in and have confidence in the powerful ability of God to care for us, to counsel us, and to lead us. The text is an imperative, so its not one suggestion among many, but a call to action. This trust flows out of true belief. The domino effect of fearing the Lord, listening to his call, running to him - this domino effect culminates in deeply rooted and deeply devoted trust with all of one’s being.

Acknowledging him means that we growing in integrity and consistency. Not just in ceertain areas - but all areas.

APPLICATION: The command to trust God confronts us with a question that should startle us: am I trusting God, and am I growing in the completeness of that trust? Not that we have arrived, but are we pressing on in trusting God? Our life as followers of Jesus is all of life.

ILLUSTRATION: Rooms of the heart - Theresa of Avila

2.) True wisdom leads us to acknowledge that our own understanding is limited.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

EXEGESIS: Again, an exhortation to not lean/depend on your own understanding is written to the child from the parent. The parent is saying, ‘Hey, you have to trust God completely and know that your understanding is far more limited than you know.” True wisdom confronts these limits with an infinite God. The chracteristic of the fool is to reject God’s counsel and trust in one’s self. The characteristic of the simple is to trust God in some ways, but not others.

APPLICATION: This is not a call to neglect intellect, or growth, or entrepreneurial pursuits, or to close off our minds. Rather, its an honest admission that we need the counsel of God in our life. The temptation we all face is to think we can know it all, even if we don’t verbally say that out loud.

3.) True wisdom leads us to trust that God will make our path straight.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

EXEGESIS: The parent tells the child that as trust in God completely, that God will make their path straight. This teaches us two things. First, that God is able to make a way for his people when it seems that there is no way. Second, in the counsel and wisdom of God, he gives the ultimate victory to his people by keeping his covenant with them and bringing them to himself. This doesn’t mean free for hardship, or suffering, or pain. This world is broken and chaotic, yet in the midst of it his people find their way before them to sure and steadfast. The image of a race is often set as an example of the Christian life, and while it can grueling the end reward proves the faithfulness of God to make the way straight.

APPLICATION: As grow in our trust of God and learn to bring all of life under his counsel, we learn to see the limits of our understanding. We learn to see that in the midst of situations, God will make a way. He leads us, sustains us, and helps us. The Psalms often process this exact point - why God and trust in God exist as concerns and prayers of His people. Trusting God isn’t for the faint of heart. In and through it all, God is with us and leading us home.

Jesus Connection: How do we know?

Hebrews 12:1–2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus lived the life we can’t, died the death we deserve, and was raised to new life that solidifies our redemption. He is our strong tower and means by which we can now trust the Lord by grace. Our sins, though scarlet, have been washed white as snow. Though we cannot make our path straight, Jesus does.