Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding
Beloved, I want to welcome you as we break the bread of life - the undeniable and unchanging Word of God. You might ask, "what does it mean to
'live on every word of God'? What does it mean not to lean on our
understanding?" Today, we will delve into these questions and more as we
explore the depths of these powerful words.
Living on the Word of God means to regard His Word as vital
to our existence as breathing air or taking food. Our sustenance, our survival,
our hope, and our life's navigational compass reside within the pages of the
Holy Bible. The Word of God illuminates our path in times of darkness, directs
us when we are lost, heals us when we are broken, and comforts us in periods of
sorrow.
Jesus, the living Word made flesh, exemplified what it meant
to live by every Word. In the wilderness, when tempted by Satan, He quoted
Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God". He did not rely on His natural
strength, but responded with the spiritual truth of God's Word. This is a
lesson for us all, a revelation that we must seek to internalize and live by.
Now the question arises, why shouldn't we lean on our
understanding? After all, we have been given intellect and reasoning. Is it
wrong to depend on them?
The heart of the matter is not that our understanding is
worthless or always misguided. It is more about the place we give our
understanding in relation to God's Word. The wisdom of this world is limited
and often misdirected by our human nature - our emotions, biases, or personal
experiences. When we lean solely on our understanding, it is like travelling
unknown terrain with a faulty compass - we are bound to get lost. But when we
put God's word first, our understanding, illuminated by His wisdom, will take
on a divine perspective.
Remember the story of Peter walking on water towards Jesus
in Matthew 14:28-31? Peter began to sink when he leaned on his understanding,
influenced by the strong wind and waves around him. But when he cried out to
Jesus, the living Word, he was saved from his peril. Brothers and sisters, our
call is to immerse ourselves fully in the Word of God, trusting it to guide and
sustain us amidst ever-changing worldly trends and personal challenges. As we
become steadfast in God's Word, our understanding aligns with His wisdom, and
we find our feet set on the solid Rock.
May we be like the tree planted by the rivers of water,
drawing our sustenance from the God's Word, producing fruits in due season, and
not withering under the scorching trials of life (Psalm 1:3). Standing firm on
the rock of His Word, may we navigate this journey of faith, not by our limited
understanding, but under the divine wisdom of God Almighty.
Let us pray together that God helps us live on every word of
His and not lean on our own understanding but trust in His infinite wisdom. As
we grow in this divine wisdom, may we become the light of the world, a beacon
of hope in a darkened world.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you today, seeking your
divine guidance as we traverse our life's journey. You tell us in your holy
scriptures, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
So, we ask you today to increase our faith in Your word, that we may find
strength and courage for the path set before us.
Lord, we express our gratitude for the gift of the Bible,
Your holy and infallible word. Ignite in us a renewed passion for studying your
scriptures, instilling within us the truth of Your promises and the entirety of
Your divine plan. May we truly comprehend that Your word is a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto our path. Shelter us from the distractions of the world
that seek to divert our attention away from Your word and instil a hunger in
our hearts for the wisdom only You can provide.
Strengthen us, O God, when our faith feels weak, when our
spirits are low, and when we are confronted by doubts. Remind us that even
faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Support us during times of
trials and tribulations, reassuring us that You are always there, that you have
a plan and purpose for everything that happens. We seek to trust in Your word
completely, not leaning on our own understanding, but acknowledging You in all
our ways.
Dear Lord, we pray for a faith that is rooted deeply in Your word, a faith that is unshakeable despite the shifting circumstances of life. Let us be like the tree planted by the streams of water, thriving and bearing fruits in season, whose leaf does not wither. Let your holy word be our guiding light, our comforting presence, our strength in weakness, and our beacon of hope in these unpredictable times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.