There are a lot of famous proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 is probably at the top of that list. Here is what it says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make straight your paths.”

But what does it mean?

It is, of course, primarily about trusting in the Lord with all your heart. In other words, not just a part of you, but all of you.

The statement which says “lean not on your own understanding” certainly does not mean that we should leave our brains at the door. After all, Jesus himself says we should love God with all our minds (Mark 12:30). The meaning is that we shouldn’t trust our ways more than God’s ways. Father knows best.

Finally, when we submit to (or “acknowledge”) God he will make our paths straight. This is biblical language for making godly moral life choices which keep us moving forward in the right direction.

At this point we need to be honest with ourselves. If we are always uncertain, doubting, confused and apathetic, might that mean we are defaulting to our own ways instead of God’s ways?

The basic principle at play in this proverb is to trust in God above all else.

But there’s an additional implication: Just because you are uncertain about your future, that doesn’t mean God is uncertain about your future. Submit to his wisdom and goodness and he will (future tense) make your paths straight. 

Do you want your future to be good? I thought so.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make straight your paths.”

He makes the straight path, shines his light upon it, shows it to you, and moves you forward by his Spirit.

---

Notes:

–“Memorable is Portable: The Most Famous Proverbs, Part 1.” Sermon. July 23, 2023. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.