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.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I often hear verse 6 quoted alone. Or people will quote 5 and 6, but leave out acknowledging Him in all your ways in any commentary or discussion. I believe these 2 verses are best viewed as a package. A package that starts (in verse 5) with a call to obedience and commands us to have hearts that trust in the Lord. Then, rooted in that trust, is the command to have faith in God’s sovereignty and not our own (understanding).
As we move on to verse 6 we find our third command, in all your ways acknowledge Him. We are to know God so deeply that His will and Truth guide every aspect of our conduct as we journey through life.
Lastly, my best deduction of the meaning of make straight your paths (more explanation here), is that God (He) will give us the wisdom and guidance to live upright (straight) lives (paths).
These verses are usually quoted as a promise, without realizing that there are 3 explicit commands leading to the promise. Let me summarize in 6 words (...and 4 special characters): Trust + Faith + Obedience = A Righteous Life. Please don’t miss the full blessing contained in these verses; the blessing of a closer walk with Jesus along the upright and righteous path.
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