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 your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
“In all your ways acknowledge Him…”
When I was reading through this well-known passage the other day, that six-word phrase struck in a way that it never had before. Think about it: “In all your ways acknowledge him…” Do I really do this? In all my ways?
Imagine what the day would look like if we did:
When you wake up – acknowledge Him.
When you get out of bed – acknowledge Him.
When you get ready to go to work – acknowledge Him.
When you eat your breakfast, the first meal of the day, which God Himself provided – acknowledge Him.
When you step outside and take in the first breath of fresh air – acknowledge Him.
When you sit down at your desk (or wherever it is that you work from) – acknowledge Him.
Whether He goes acknowledged or not, we are still dependent on God.
Even with these common graces of life, we are utterly dependent on God. Every moment we live and every step we take is given under divine warrant and direction.That is why we are to trust the Lord with our entire heart and being. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” The man who leans on his own understanding of the world around him is a fool. And, as the verse implies, when we trust God, we will inevitably acknowledge Him—our Great Maker, Redeemer, Sustainer.
To think that we can go a moment of life without His grace and counsel is pure pride. God loves to be consulted! He loves it when His children lean on Him for understanding and acknowledge Him in every way.
The transliteration of the Hebrew verb for acknowledge is “yada’.” It means to know, to perceive, to distinguish, to recognize, to confess, to be acquainted with, to be wise about.
Instead of vainly leaning on our own understanding, let’s resolve to first go to Him for counsel in life. Let’s be in the habit of acknowledging God in all our ways.
May God grant us grace in Jesus to do so effectively.
And now, as you move on from this blog post – acknowledge Him.
Russell says
November 11, 2011 at 5:32 amWhat blessings follow when we listen to God. By acknowledging God, we are blessed. It is a divine principle; it must be. Why? God designed us to worship Him; when we do, He responds. Worshippnig God by our actions throughout the day, where others watch, pleases God, as it fulfills His desire for us to draw close to Him, and to assist others as well. Brother Lawrence knew this well. By acknowledging Him, our paths are made straight; we know that whatever our circumstances, we can rejoice.
Bendert says
November 13, 2011 at 6:54 amHey…why do you think God created us to worship Him? Where do you base this upon? Do you believe God needs our worship? Im trying to understand…what I think is that..God doesn’t really need our worship. We worship because He is God. Because maybe it’s the only logical response we can really have when we see something of Him revealed in our lifes. Maybe you have a deeper insight:) Please share:)
I think God created us because it pleased Him to do so. For God created man and saw that it was good.
Bendert says
November 13, 2011 at 6:58 amHey, I think I read your piece a little bit wrong…you said designed us to worship Him. Instead of created. There’s a difference offcourse!:) sorry about that.
Bendert says
November 13, 2011 at 7:06 amhaha wow…lot of comments from me…tsja. I just had to think about Jabez His prayer and thought I post it to you..
Prayer Of Jabez
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
THanks for your post. It was good!
Pastor Edgar says
November 13, 2011 at 11:03 amWhen God designed us, He also created us according to what He designed us for. If a house is designed to be an office building therefore it’s full use should be an office building. If it was used for any other purpose, then you are not giving justice to the one who designed it and what it was designed for. If God designed us to worship Him therefore He created us for the purppose of worshipping Him. We can do whatever we do but our life will not be to its fullest not until our life becomes a life of worshipping God. Let me give a biblical example of that.
In Exodus 3:12, when God called Moses on via the burning bush, Moses was adamant to follow because he does not know whether it is really God who is doing it. God told him and I quote:
So He said “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall SERVE God on this mountain.”
God did not say the sign will be the plagues of Egypt or the parting of the Red Sea. He said “you shall SERVE God on this mountain.”
In Exodus 19:4, God said: … I have bore you on eagles wings and brought you to MYSELF”. This signifies that God wants a relationship with us. What kind of relationship? A relationship that we worship Him as our ABBA Father. From the very time of creation, God has purposed us to have a relationship with Him. In the creation alone, during the first 5 days, the bible says “And God said” but when He created man, He suddenly changed something to show to us that He himself is a relationship by saying LET US…
Yes we were designed and created for the purpose of worshipping God. We do not have an egoistic God who says I need to be worshipped. We have a great God who DESERVES our daily worship.
Michelle says
November 11, 2011 at 6:17 amI love this verse! This is a great post. Thank you. I am continually amazed how much the creator of the universe wants to be involved in each of our lives – every minute of every day. It has always been about relationship with God. That fact is so wonderful!
henry says
November 11, 2011 at 6:24 amBEAUTIFUL ISN’T OUR SAVIOR THAT HE WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN OUR LIVES, NOTHING HOLDING BACK
henry says
November 11, 2011 at 6:19 amHOW TRUE IT IS THAT WE TRUST HIM IN AND FOR ALL THINGS.HOW EASIER MY LIFE WOULD BE IF I WOULD JUST SUBMIT TO HIM KNOWING THAT HE HOLDS MY VERY BEING IN HIS HANDS AND NOTHING GOING ON AROUND ME IS HE UNAWARE OF. TRULY WE MUST TRUST AND COMMIT ALL THINGS TO HIM IN PRAYER. LIVE OUT OUR DAYS IN AN ATTITUDE OF WORSHIP KNOWING OTHERS WATCH AND WILL SEE THE HOPE IN US.
laura mary says
November 11, 2011 at 5:37 pmAmen brother, keep the fire burning in your heart. you are an encouragement, all of you. God bless
Bette says
November 11, 2011 at 7:03 amThis is timely for me. I was just thinking yesterday that I was “bugging” the Lord with my constant little prayers. Now I understand this is exactly what He wants. Thank you!
Paul says
November 11, 2011 at 7:17 amBette you summed it up perfectly, that exactly what God wants. Excellent posts.
Pat G says
November 11, 2011 at 1:06 pmBette I wonder this too!
I feel like sometimes I am being selfish wanting his help even to do simple things. I see many others seem so much more in need such as those dealing with challenges to just move.
I feel blessed to know God wants us to consult him in all of our activities everyday.
Praise God continually for His love for us all!
Such amazing is His grace indeed!
One of my favorite hymns is “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”
Pat G says
November 11, 2011 at 1:37 pmWow! This thread places even more emphasis to me now that not only does God watch us but He wants us to talk with Him continually!
In 1904, a songwriter, Mrs. Civilla Martin, went to visit a bedridden friend in Elmira, New York. Mrs. Martin asked the woman if she ever got discouraged because of her physical condition. Her friend quickly responded: “Mrs. Martin, how can I be discouraged when my heavenly Father watches over each little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me?”
On her journey back home, Mrs. Martin completed the writing of her new text, which has since been a source of much encouragement to many of God’s people:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely and long for Heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…
God’s care for us is immeasurable — He allowed His only begotten Son to die in our stead (John 3:16). When we consider the “riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering” this ought to soften our heart, “knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom. 2:3-4).
God’s care for us will sustain us throughout life, for “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
God’s care for us extends beyond the grave and into that home of the soul, for those who “do His commandments” have the right to the tree of life, and “may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).
David was impressed by God’s care for us: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen — even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psa. 8:3-9).
jC says
November 13, 2011 at 6:17 amGOD be the One Person Who loves to be bugged; definately a detail GOD! Do we really realize what it takes to work out EVERY detail out in a lifetime?!! I’ve never known such a ONE so stunning!
Julie says
November 11, 2011 at 8:18 amJesus acknowledge the Father in all His ways. He said in John 5:19, I do what I see the Father doing. In other words, He was so intimately connected to the Father, that every thing He did, step by step, was directed by the Father. Why? Because of their love for each other. It was all about relationship. Oh Lord, please grant us this same loving relationship with you!
Julie B. says
November 11, 2011 at 8:51 amI am so happy that you put the translation to the word acknowledge, ‘yada’ to KNOW, in this blog. In our language, to “acknowledge” something can be so passive and impersonal. But the meaning of this word in this context is to KNOW God in all my ways, especially when my understanding would lead me to think otherwise. When I have lost my job, KNOW that God is my provider. When I have had tragedy, KNOW that God is my strong tower who will always be there and never fail. And when the sun is shining and everything seems right, KNOW that God is my creator and without Him I am nothing.
KNOWING God is paramount. And as we know Him in all our ways, our love for Him will grow and our lives will fall in line with His heart. I am so thankful that He is a God who yearns to be known, and gives us access to know Him through His Son Jesus!
Dean says
November 11, 2011 at 8:54 amIt is always a blessing to revisit familiar verses and look for the deeper meanings. It dawned on me that line three “In all your ways acknowledge Him” is a restatement of the truth found in line one “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” in this form of poetry, and therefore gives us more insight into the meaning. Line two is an instruction “and do not lean unto your own understanding” and line four is a conclusion, stating a promise that holds true if we hold to these instructions. That promise is that “He will make your paths straight.” Ancient armies quite often sent out road crews ahead of them to clear obstacles and straighten out the curves and level the hills to speed the transit of the military to their goal. The promise isn’t there just to make our lives easier, but to speed us toward the work that God has for us! There is spiritual warfare at the end of that road.
Martha says
November 13, 2011 at 6:41 amThank you! This is good. I need to remember that I am Here to live for Him… not to live for myself, have an easy life and have a good time.
Kathya says
November 11, 2011 at 8:56 amRead the blog from bed, before I start my day. I love Blue Letter Bible e-mail devotionals. This verse is one of me favorite ones. I’ve memorized it and remind myself of it often. Thank you.
Paul C says
November 11, 2011 at 12:21 pmLinking it to the word ‘know’ seems really important…thanks! How can I know anyone? Its through time together…both good times and bad…and as a free-will choice. If I feel another is telling me I ‘should’ spend time with them and I don’t experience a personal benefit, then I can feel resentful. But if I experience personal benefit then the relationship can grow in a positive way.
Getting up in the morning and all the moments you mention are great suggestions, but even in a loveless marriage husbands and wives can be physically together in those moments…as distant relationally as mountain tops are from valley floors.
I’m finding intimacy…’the knowing’…in the midst of my emotions. In moments when I feel safe and moments when I feel totally scared or angry. And asking God who I am and who He is in that moment!
So right on, to the moments you mention and also:
o when I’m generous and I don’t get what I need.
o when I offer peace and get war back
o when I discover who I am and feel blocked from living it.
o when I fast and pray for health and my friend dies
o when I forgive and get hurt again and again
Martha says
November 13, 2011 at 6:45 amYes! Thank you. Jesus is our reward, isn’t He? His love heals and is bigger than all the pain
Hannah says
November 13, 2011 at 8:46 amCHRIST is our satisfaction!! Who cares how others respond as long as He is pleased with our actions? When others return evil for good, they are doing exactly what they did to our Lord and Savior. We can be encouraged that when we are reviled, and respond with love, we look like Jesus.
J.Livinggood says
November 11, 2011 at 11:10 pmGreetings to all brothers & sisters LORD thnk U for leaders that have stand in the GAP FOR Encouragement just like Barnabas .Glory to our LORD for all that has been done & what is being done in our Daily spirtual walk WOW we HAVE Such LOVE Of our LORD Keep on Keeping On for the LORD it is worth it all!
steve morrow says
November 12, 2011 at 1:16 amproverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding
Proverbs 2:3 Yea if thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding
Psalm 119:125 I am thy servant give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies
Psalm 110:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors
Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts so shall I talk of thy wondrous works
Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding I have strength
1st John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in HIM that if we ask anything according to his will HE heareth us
Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue and if there be any praise think on these things
Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth tried seven times
Mark 10:18 JESUS said unto him why callest thou me good there is none good but one which is GOD
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of GOD is pure HE is a shield unto them that put their trust in HIM
Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto HIS words lest HE reprove thee and thou be found a liar
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book if any man shall add unto these things GOD shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy GOD shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book
James 4:3 You ask and receive not because you ask amiss that you may consume it upon your lusts
James 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that friendship of the world is enmity with GOD whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you
Yitzhak says
November 12, 2011 at 3:09 pmYou understand that the taking away of the Words refers only to the book of Revelations, and not the whole Bible. Some people look at this incorrectly. I believe that the scriptures one would look for about adding to His Word would be: Pro 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Shalom
Pastor Edgar says
November 13, 2011 at 11:22 amIf you look at the context of it, yes you are right, it only pertains to Revelation. But if you look at the all biblical teachings, we have to believe that every part of the bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 are all the inspired word of God as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:16.
By simply equating Revelation 22:18-19 to pertain only to Revelation will put is into trouble. Does that mean that we can take away the prophecies mentioned in other books and we cannot be in trouble? Absoulutely not. If we do that, then we can simply remove the Messianic prophecies and we will still be fine.
Again by looking at the context, you are right. But if you totally look at the whole picture of Revelation and Proverbs, you will be very suprised the 2 verses supports each other, therefore telling us that verse in Revelation 22:18-19 by context refers to only revelation but the whole application of it pertains to every part of the biblical truth, the whole bible itself. God bless you my brother.
steve morrow says
November 13, 2011 at 5:04 pmRevelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him And he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of JESUS worship GOD for the testimony of JESUS is the spirit of prophecy
Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the nicolaitans which I also hate
Revelation 2:15 so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans which thing I hate
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love
Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a PROPHET from among their brethren like unto thee and will put my words in HIS mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command HIM
Deuteronomy 18:19 And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which HE shall speak in my name I will require it of him
John 4:23 But the hour cometh and now is when the worshippers shall worship the FATHER in spirit and in truth for the FATHER seeketh such to worship HIM
Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers A PROPHET SHALL THE LORD YOUR GOD RAISE UP UNTO YOU OF YOUR BRETHREN LIKE UNTO ME HIM SHALL YOU HEAR IN ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER HE SHALL SAY UNTO YOU
Acts 3:23 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT EVERY SOUL WHICH WILL NOT HEAR THAT PROPHET SHALL BE DESTROYED FROM AMONG THE PEOPLE
1st John 5:6 This is HE that came by water and blood even JESUS CHRIST not by water only but by water and blood and it is the spirit that beareth witness because the spirit is truth
John 14:6 JESUS saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the FATHER but by me
S.Allen says
November 12, 2011 at 2:48 amI just want to thank the Lord for the whole truth I have been blessed by the Word of GOD this morning have a blessed day.
Pat G says
November 12, 2011 at 3:06 amThis one makes my heart soar! A real blessing. I love to hear Scripture. Every word a wonderful gift from an all loving God. Thank you dear brother for posting.
Amen and Amen
* Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue and if there be any praise think on these things *
Raphael says
November 12, 2011 at 3:21 am“We would always please God if our first thought before any action is ‘Does it please God?’. Lord I thank you wholeheartedly! Glory to your name!
Tim A says
November 12, 2011 at 3:35 amGenesis 13 challenges me:Abram knew God; indeed God appears to him in chapter 12, but when the famine came, Abram neglected to seek God’s direction. I wonder how Bible history would be different if Abram had waited to KNOW God’s heart. Instead chapters of the Bible are filled with heartache for Abram and his descendants due to this neglect. Yet even in the aftermath, Abram returns to meet with God and call out to Him. And God is with Abram and blesses his way and keeps covenant with him.
He blesses us in much the same way, I think. We know Him in a personal way but do not bind ourselves to Him such that our knowledge is moment by moment. What choices do we make independent from Him? And somehow we muddle through on our own, worse for the wear and find Him right where we left Him only to realize He was there all the time, but we failed to recognize His presence and rely on His power. He kept us and blessed us through it all, and is ready to pick up where we left off. Now we can draw near to Him once more and move forward not to make the same mistake again. But I wouldn’t count on it!
Marian says
November 12, 2011 at 6:41 amDrawn to respond because of the insight I have gain from this blog and postings. This morning’s devotion spoke to my heart in ways that only God could know. I am so grateful that Jesus loves me. I see His love so clearly as He responds to the issues flowing out of my thoughts and prayers. How awesome to come to my rescue as I sit in bed just thinking and acknowledging Him as Lord of my Life. Pray for me that in the moments He gives me that I gain more faith to do His Will so that I can be a walking testimony to others of His grace and goodness. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Harriet says
November 12, 2011 at 7:30 amThank you for the exortation. In all my ways I must Learn to acknowledge Him. After all He is my life Without Him Iam nothing.
Selina says
November 12, 2011 at 5:24 pmAll day I was memorizing this verse and it had really applied to me and I was visiting this website for the first time and what’d ya know. Here this special on Proverbs 3:5,6 the exact verses i had been memorizing! <3 God is so crazy good, all the time. <3 (: Always speaking to me. <3 (:
Derek says
November 12, 2011 at 10:35 pmThank you, this post was really encouraging. One thing in particular stuck out to me. Those who trust in the Lord will have their paths made straight. There’s no way God would ever do otherwise. Trusting in God should never be a last resort, last option, or last choice. That is foolishness. God is far superior, far more intelligent, and far wiser than any human could ever be. We trust experts all the time. Why not trust the God who created the experts?
Bendert says
November 13, 2011 at 6:47 amWow. So good. Thanks a lot.
Bernard says
November 13, 2011 at 7:03 amI am reminder of the verses in Matthew 11:25 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:26 Take my yoke upon you, and lean of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul.
Matthew 11:27 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Jesus said come to me and acknowledged God in all my ways and He will direct my path in life everyday. There is a song that I love to sing, ( I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, I must tell Jesus).