TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

“The Little Engine That Could” is a classic children’s story. What got the little engine and his train of cars over the big hill? – His self-created, self-directed mantra: “I think I can. I think I can.” The little engine built up enough self-confidence and enough self-determination to get the difficult job done. He relied on himself and on his own ability when he was faced with a difficult task.

That works in children’s stories and nursery rhymes but how many times don’t we try to follow that mantra in life? – “I think I can.” When faced with a problem or a decision or a difficult situation, how many times don’t we turn to ourselves for the solution or the answer or the strength to succeed? Our first instinct is to rely on ourselves. What does Solomon say? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust in the Lord. Lean on him. Acknowledge him – literally: know him, know his power, know his wisdom, know his love.

Throughout life, when faced with a problem or a decision or a difficult decision, we can turn to God in prayer. We can seek direction in his Word. We can be confident that he will give us the strength to endure. We can know that he will work all things for our spiritual and eternal good. Rather than saying, “I think I can,” we can go through life saying, “I know He can.”

PRAYER: I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee; trusting Thee for full salvation, great and free. Amen.