Trusting God

Trusting God
Proverbs 3:5-6
October 17, 2021

Introduction

ILLUS – Infomercials

1. In many ways, life can feel like buying a “must-have” product from an infomercial.

2. You take the plunge thinking it will be different this time because this time it’s going to work.

3. You’re convinced it’s worth the money because this product is exactly what you have been looking for, waiting for, it’s what you need.

4. But then reality quickly settles in and you realize you got played; you feel like a fool.

5. So, you vow to never fall for that again, until you see the next infomercial.

6. The truth is it’s easy to feel jaded by life.

7. Who can you trust? And what does real trust look like in such a broken world?

8. Tonight, we are going to look at two verses from Proverbs 3 which will answer these thought-provoking questions.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Context

Proverbs 3:1-12 is a wonderful passage filled with wisdom, principles, and promises for living a godly life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is the foundation for the entire passage, everything hinges upon the nuggets of wisdom found there.

Transition – In these two verses we discover “Who” to trust, “How” to trust, and the “Promise” given to those who apply these words of wisdom to their lives. First question, “Who to trust?”

I. Trust in the Lord (5)

A. With all of your heart

1. The word for trust means “to lay helpless, facedown, at the mercy of another.”
a. It is like a soldier before a victorious general.
b. Or a servant waiting for a master’s command.

2. So, trust in Proverbs 3:5 is a picture of:
a. Allegiance and Submission
b. Confidence and Conviction
c. Expectation and Hope
d. Faith and Reliance

3. In Proverbs 3:5, trust is a wholehearted commitment.
a. Trust is a choice.
b. “All your heart” means with “one’s mind, emotions, and will.”

APPL – This kind of trust stands firm and declares with a resolute heart, “I will trust the Lord. . .”

• When there is more month than money in my wallet.

Philippians 4:19, And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

• When life is a battle.

Psalm 56:3-4, When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

• When I am afflicted, feel abandoned, or am persecuted for my faith in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

• Even when my health is failing.

Psalms 73:25-26, Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

ILLUS – My grandma’s example before she died of pancreatic cancer

c. God wants our whole heart because anything less is half-hearted.
d. And half-hearted devotion leaves the door open for folly.
B. Do not lean on unreliable substitutes

ILLUS – Texting my wife, “I love you!”

1. “Leaning” on your own “understanding” can be an unreliable substitute.
a. The word for lean is like the word trust.
b. Lean means to “rely on someone or something for help or protection.”
c. Understanding refers to human understanding which operates in ignorance because it lacks God’s counsel.
d. Therefore, “to lean on your own understanding” is to be “wise in your own eyes.”
e. The Bible warns against being a “wise guy.”

Proverbs 3:7, Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 14:12, There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

2. What are the signs of being a “wise guy”?
a. Pride and haughtiness
• “I knew I could do it”
• “I just believed in myself”
b. An unteachable heart. Being a “know-it-all.”
• “I know, I know.”
• “I got this!”

ILLUS – Roller Rink Rash

Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.

3. Why is humility so important?
a. Because we have no reason to boast.

1 Corinthians 4:7, For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

ILLUS – The late Alex Haley, author of Roots, had a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture was there to remind him of a lesson he learned early in life: “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.”

b. Because God resists the proud but is gracious towards the humble.

James 4:6, 10, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

4. Please note that the trust which pleases the Lord is not a blind faith.
a. It is a trust that looks at the facts and says, “God exists, and I am not God.”

Hebrews 11:6, And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

b. It is a trust that looks at God’s character and declares, “God is worthy of my trust.”

Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

APPL – If God said it, He will do it. If God has promised, He will make it good, guaranteed!

c. It is a trust that proclaims, “Where God is, is where I call home. The search is over, I’ve found my forever home!”

Psalm 84:1-4, How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You.

Transition – Now that we know “Who” to trust, next, we will look at “How” to trust.

II. Trust in the Lord in All Your Ways (6)

A. In all your ways acknowledge Him

1. This is not a mere nodding of the head.

2. We must see God in life’s events. David said, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

3. We must seek God each day in prayer.
a. Surrender your will.

Luke 9:23, If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

b. Seek God’s will.

Matthew 6:9-10, Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

APPL – Why is Trust/Faith so important to God?

• Relationships are built on trust.

ILLUS – Business, Friendships, Marriage

• Without trust those relationships fall apart.

ILLUS – Satan’s deception/temptation of Eve and Adam

Genesis 3:4-5, And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely shall not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

APPL – Satan has been accusing God and calling into question God’s character ever since the Fall.

• Satan knew if he could get the lie about God’s character to stick, mankind’s relationship with God would be fractured on multiple levels.
• It worked. Mankind has been looking for someone or something other than God to trust ever since.
• But we must remember “Who” we are talking about.
• The LORD, Yahweh, is holy, righteous, just, loving, gracious, faithful, and true.
• God loves you and is committed to your welfare.

Jeremiah 29:11-14, ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord

Transition – Now that we know “Who” to trust and “How” to trust, what is the promise for those who trust?

B. The Lord will make your path straight

1. “He will make your paths straight.”
a. This is a wonderful promise.
b. But it’s also a conditional promise based on trust.

2. What does this promise mean?
a. It means that God has our best interests at the center of His heart; He wants to bless our lives.
b. God knows the best way to accomplish His purpose for our lives.
c. All His power is available to accomplish the plan He has for us.
d. It may not be easy street, but it is the best way to achieve the best goal.
e. And the Lord will get us to the goal line.
f. Our lives will be successful as God defines success.

APPL – God is committed to finish what He started in us.

Philippians 1:6, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

APPL – When it comes to trusting God, where do you stand?

Joshua 24:15, But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.