By[5] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5 - 6 NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the most famous verses amongst Christians. It has been used to preach in several churches many times. But have you asked yourself, “What does God want to communicate to you through these two verses?”
Sometimes, we get so consumed in listening to every new sermon and forget to personalise what we were preached unto just yesterday. Look at verse 6 again.
“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What does this mean? First of all, Proverbs 3:6 is a build-up from verse 5, where Solomon urges us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and never to lean on our own understanding. Then he says that when you do that, the next thing is to remain lowly in your heart and follow His ways. In that way, you’ll not become a victim of your own heart’s deception (Jeremiah 17:9).
God commands both submission and obedience. He doesn’t want you to merely obey Him; He wants you to be also willing to obey Him. That is submission (Isaiah 1:19).
God knew you before bringing you into the world. So when He provides you leadership and says, “submit to Me,” it’s not because He wants to cage your life. No! It’s because He knows what is best for you, far beyond your knowledge.
You can’t tell people that “I am serving God” while leaving certain aspects of your life in your own hands. It doesn’t work like that in God’s kingdom.
The scripture says, “in all your ways, submit to Him,” not in some of your ways. In the matters of decisions, relationships, academics, et cetera, submit them to the controlling power of Jesus. If you do that, there’s an assured blessing coming your way.
The verse continues, “… and He will make your paths straight.”
The word “straight” in the context of this scripture means smooth. Do you want to enjoy perpetual progression in your life? Don’t take matters and decisions into your own hands. No. Submit them to God.
God is flawless. Therefore, following Him will make you move on from glory to glory. Make David’s heartfelt prayer of godly submission in Psalm 139:24 a daily declaration of your life.
“… Lord, lead and guide me in the way everlasting.”
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Father, thank You for showing us in Your Word that godly submission is for my profiting and not imprisonment. Lead and guide me in the way everlasting as I follow You. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 089
Download Quote and Share
