Daily Devotionals

Dead End Desperation Week 4: Thursday

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

We witness a miracle in 2 Kings 4. Elisha instructed a widow facing dire financial struggles to take one flask of olive oil and fill as many empty jars as possible. Remarkably, this woman filled jars and jars of olive oil from her flask of oil until she ran out of jars to fill them. This miraculous act helped her pay off her debts and gave her and her sons enough money to live off of. It was a fantastic moment. Perhaps even more amazing, however, is that this woman, without question, believed God’s message through Elisha so much that she did what was instructed to her without any questions. I have to be honest; I might have looked at Elisha like he did not know what he was talking about. Not this woman, however. She believed him. She believed in God. She trusted Him to do big things with the little bit that she had without any questions or doubts.

The writer of Proverbs 3 calls us to have this kind of unwavering trust in God. He writes, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (verse 5). This is a call to trust God, not just when things make sense to us or when trusting God is easy, but in all situations. That is why the writer of this Proverbs chapter writes to trust God with “all your heart.” “All” is all-inclusive. We are to trust God with everything in us. While it can be tempting to “depend on [our] own understanding,” Trusting God instead is a much better way. Why? It is the better way because God has proven Himself to be trustworthy. He has carried our lives this far and will continue to carry us. He is also all-powerful. There is nothing that He cannot do. He has earned our trust because of His trustworthiness.

Do you trust God with all of your heart, or do you depend on your understanding? What is holding you back? My friend, God has proved His faithfulness and trustworthiness. He has even proved His faithfulness and trustworthiness to you in your own life today. So will you trust Him with your whole heart?

Moving toward action

What is something you know God has been calling you to do, but you have felt nervous to do? Maybe He has called you to forgive someone you have been struggling to forgive; maybe He has called you to be generous financially when it does not make sense. Maybe He has called you to serve, but you feel you have little to offer. My friend, take a step of faith and trust in Him today. Trust Him enough to take that step of faith.

Going Deeper

Proverbs 3:1-35 (NLT)

"My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.

11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.

19 By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.

31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.

33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.

34 The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!