Based on a series of sermons preached in PCC Prayer Meetings in 2023-2024
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The book of Proverbs is not merely a book of wise sayings. It is, instead, a book of principles and counsels given by the inspiration of the Spirit of Christ so that those who are united to Christ may be conformed to His image in attitude and behaviour. The apostle Paul calls Christ “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). We may say that Proverbs paints a picture of Christ, the wisdom of God, so that all who behold Him may be changed from glory unto glory into His image.
Most verses in Proverbs are presented in parallelisms. The famous couplet, Proverbs 3:5-6, is no different. Proverbs 3:5 is a synonymous parallel. Thus, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart” and“lean not unto thine own understanding” may be understood as synonymous instructions. Similarly, verse 5 is a synthetic parallel. Thus, the consequence of acknowledging God in all your ways is that “he shall direct [your] paths” (v. 6).
With this in mind, we may consider these two verses under three headings: (1) Lean on the LORD; (2) Acknowledge Him; and (3) He shall direct your paths.
1. Lean on the LORD
What is it to lean on the LORD, or more fully, to “trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” To lean on your own understanding is to trust in your own thinking. It is to assess the situation according to what you perceive the situation to be. It is to decide what to do according to your own inclination or opinion.
But our inclination and opinion may be misguided, so you may end up making a wrong decision and harming yourself and others in the process. It is like a man leaning against a fence at the edge of a cliff, confident that it is safe to do so, only to realise that his assumption was wrong as he hurtles down the cliff.
By contrast, to lean on the LORD is to believe wholeheartedly that the LORD is right and trustworthy. The LORD has revealed His will in His word. He has given us principles to guide us in our decision-making in almost every situation in life. To lean upon Him is to trust that He is right and to submit to His will.
According to your research, the best university to study in may be located where there is no church you can assemble with on the Lord’s Day. To lean on the LORD is to rule out that university as the right one for you.
2. Acknowledge Him
Not only must we lean on the LORD, we must acknowledge Him in all our ways. What does that mean? It means at least three things: (1) to lean on the LORD as in verse 5 and see to it that He figures prominently in all your disposition and decision; (2) to seek His guidance in everything; and (3) to glorify Him in every good turn of providence.
If you acknowledge the LORD in all your ways, you will not grumble and complain when things do not turn out well— because you know that the LORD ordered all things well for you. Again, if you acknowledge the LORD, you will not forget to seek Him in prayer when confronted with any significant decision, whether it is easy or difficult to make. Again, if you acknowledge the LORD, you will glorify His name when you enjoy success.
When you do so, the LORD shall direct your paths.
3. He Shall Direct Your Paths
Isn’t this a comforting thought? When you lean on the LORD and acknowledge Him in all things, you have the promise of the LORD that He will direct your paths. He will make it plain to you which path you should choose.
We all face different kinds of trials every day. Some of us are afflicted with health issues and relationship issues. Some of us are troubled by dilemmas. What is the right thing to do? What should I say? Which of the two options should I choose? Who should I support? Who should I let go? Where should I go? When should I do it? Decision, decisions, decisions!
Making decisions can sometimes be excruciatingly difficult. This is especially so when you know that a wrong decision may have tremendous consequences, may dishonour the Lord, and may lead to a lifetime of regret. In such situations, making the decision itself can be a trial. It can leave you with sleepless nights.
What comfort and assurance does the scripture offer if you are in such a situation?
Our text teaches us that if you lean on the LORD with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your path.
We must not understand this verse as teaching a cause-and-effect principle. If I kick the ball, the ball will fly: that’s cause and effect. If I lean on the LORD and acknowledge Him, He shall direct my path: that sounds like cause and effect. But it is not. It is not— because we can never merit any from the LORD. We constantly fall short of the glory of God. Even our leaning on Him and acknowledging Him will fall short of His glory.
So what does this text mean, and how can it give us comfort and assurance?
Well, ultimately, our text cannot be understood apart from Christ. You see, the principle that the just shall live by faith is not only applicable under the New Testament. Instead, it is a principle that spans the history of redemption. Only those united to Christ by faith and justified by Him shall enjoy the Lord’s promises of blessing.
But remarkably, faith is a gift of God wrought by the Holy Spirit. Those who are circumcised in the heart or baptised by the Holy Spirit will have faith and manifest their union with Christ by leaning on the LORD and acknowledging Him in all their ways. Such individuals have their paths directed by the LORD. They have clarity on which way to go in any decision.
Conclusion
Do you know, believe and love the Lord Jesus Christ? If you do, unless you are backslidden, you will not lean on your own understanding. Instead, you will trust in the LORD with all your heart. If you do not believe in Christ or are backslidden, now is the time of repentance.
But if you believe in Him, you will have experienced it yourself: the more you lean on the Lord and trust Him, and the more you acknowledge Him in everything, the more you will find Him directing your paths. In other words, you won’t have to suffer sleepless nights or find yourself tormented by your conscience because you wish to make a decision that is not consistent with God’s word.
Beloved brethren and young people, are you experiencing mental turmoil or conflict in your soul because of an unavoidable decision you must make? If Christ is your Lord and Saviour, then:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Amen.
—JJ Lim