WISDOM FROM GOD – “LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING”

Let us continue with our study of Proverbs chapter three and see what godly wisdom can be gleaned from Proverbs 3:5-6, the written Word of God, as we meditate upon verse five for our devotion this morning.
– “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

Solomon the writer of these words, is used by the LORD to convey to us, what is the most important thing for us to do. This is written down in verse five, all to clearly.
– “5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

We can see three very importation points in this verse.
1- TRUST IN THE LORD
2- WITH ALL THINE HEART
3- LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING

1- “TRUST IN THE LORD”
We are called to trust, but not in anyone and anything. We are called to trust the LORD God Almighty, the God of the Bible. This trust is much more than a mere placing of our confidence or faith in God of the Bible. The depth of the word “trust” used here, is far greater, much deeper, and really wider than anything that we may have ever imagined. It simply is a total and complete surrender of ourselves to God. It may sound unbelievable, but this is what the LORD wants from us.
– “The word translated ‘trust’ in Proverbs 3:5 means ‘to lie helpless, facedown.’ It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.” – Warren Wiersbe
– “5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:5-8

2- “WITH ALL THINE HEART”
The LORD is always mindful of our hearts. Our hearts are important to the LORD. For where our treasure is, there our heart is. Hasn’t the LORD Jesus already say this clearly in Matthew 6:21? Have we forgotten what prophet Jeremiah had said about our hearts in Jeremiah 17:5-10? Can we forget what the LORD God Almighty had commented about human hearts during the days of Noah, in Genesis 6:5-6? This is why the LORD is asking us to trust Him with “ALL OUR HEARTS.”
– “This trust is not the mere cold assent of enlightened judgment. It is trust…with all your heart. It is a childlike, unwavering confidence in our Father’s well-proved wisdom, faithfulness, and love.” – Charles Bridges
– “61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” – 1 Kings 8:61

A WORD OF CAUTION – The Problem of Heart, and What it Can Do, Even to the Wisest Among Us. 
– “4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” – 1 Kings 11:4
What a tragedy and what a sad state of affairs. It can happen to any of us, if we heed not to the wisdom of God our LORD.

3- “LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING”
The LORD hits the nail on its head. This is at the root of all the problems of man – giving ourselves and our thinking greater significance and more importance, than we actually deserve. This doesn’t mean we should not think. This doesn’t mean we become robots, waiting for commands and promote from God. It simply means we should stop thinking too much about ourselves and our intelligence. It means we should subject all our intelligence and knowledge to God, with humility.
– “[This is a warning]…against self-reliance and the limitations of human wisdom….[It]…cautions against elevating human reasoning above divine guidance. The Hebrew word for “lean” suggests support or reliance, indicating that one’s understanding is insufficient as a foundation for life…Leaning on our own understanding often leads to pride and error. We must recognize our limitations and seek God’s wisdom.” – Berean Study Bible Notes
– “12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12
– “26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” – Proverbs 28:26

A WORD OF CAUTION – We can easily be tripped and swayed astray, if we are not careful about our decisions, and mindful about our own inadequacies, despite being smart and intelligent compared to the rest of the people around us. This is why the LORD God of the Bible gives us a very sound and wise advise – “5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

How are we faring this morning, dear brothers and sisters? Are we relying on the LORD Jesus for all things in our lives? Do we depend upon God and His guidance? Or do we depend upon our own strength, knowledge and wisdom? May we always seek the LORD Jesus to help us to lean upon Him, and trust Him at all times and in all circumstances, despite the struggles, storms, and even our talents, abilities and intelligence. Even so, the LORD help us.