January 15, 2022
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
HAPPY SABBATH everyone! Doubtless, there are professed Christ-followers all over the world who are familiar with the two verses above. Yet, if one were to ponder each phrase honestly while examining his/her lifestyle, there is a distinct possibility that one may see the need to seek His grace and power to make adjustments. Here are four parallel verses that may shine more light on the state of your union with Him:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart . . .
With my whole heart I have sought you; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Psalm 119:10
Lean not on your own understanding . . .
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119:34
In all your ways acknowledge Him . . .
Two of our “ways” are what we do and what we teach. Elevating tradition over Scripture is a failure to acknowledge Him. It is a matter of authority. Just before His ascension, the risen Jesus said:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
He shall direct your paths . . .
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:133-134
Beloved, it is a fact that the enemy of souls will work through man to oppose and oppress those who want to follow the Lord in loyalty and obedience. This challenge to our faith will intensify until the Lord comes. Remember that the Bible always ties obedience to love. It is Satan who ties it to “legalism.” Jesus teaches that one who is “under grace” has a double obligation to keep the law, both in action and thought. Grace brings pardon to the repentant one for having broken the law, and it is grace that brings cleansing (pure thoughts) as well. To think that living “under grace” gives a heavenly “OK” to break the law is a deadly mistake. God has been very patient with His people, but soon He will see that everyone has had opportunity to learn the truth and, by His grace, make the necessary adjustments – and that patience will come to its prophesied end (Revelation 19:15). You can be sure that He will never “direct” you to toss His holy law aside. If it were possible to alter the eternal law of God, Jesus need not have died to pay the penalty for breaking it. He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15