04 | June | 2021 | Sixty-six books in a year

So it’s great when one of the passages you wanted to study falls on a day that’s your turn to write for the 66books blog. Proverbs 3:5&6 so happens to be that passage. I did some research — not done yet — but will give you some ideas about parts of this passage from several theologians. What a blessing to have these great men and women’s teaching and insights as we study God’s Word.

Proverbs 3:5&6,

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight

Here are some thoughts on this passage:

Warren Wiersbe: The word translated “trust” in verse 5 means “to lie helpless, facedown.” It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.

John McArthur: The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason (Pr 3:3; 6:21; 7:3), but also includes the emotions (Pr 15:15, 30), the will (Pr 11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole inner being (Pr 3:5). The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech (Pr 4:24), sight (Pr 4:25), and conduct (Pr 4:26, 27).

Bridges: AND DO NOT LEAN ON (expresses attitude of trust) YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING: Don’t trust yourself…your unrenewed fleshly thinking is still just that = fleshly.

C.R. Wood: Ten things to do based on this passage…

What should you do when you do not know what to do? Here are ten suggestions ?

I. Walk Closely With the Lord
A. Maintaining daily fellowship with Him will help in time of need
B. Make a regular practice of turning everything over to Him

II. Take the Matter to Him in Prayer
A. Do not ever do anything without His guidance
B. Do not fail to do anything He shows you to do

III. Don’t Try to Figure Things Out on Your Own. Lean Not on Your Own Understanding.
A. Unaided reason will always lead to more problems
B. It is not wrong to use your reason

So long as it is not your reason alone
Reason must be submitted to the will of God

IV. Submit Yourself and the Situation to His Will
A. Be willing no matter what His will may be. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine (John 7:17)
B. Do not try to predetermine or rubber-stamp His will

V. Clearly Express Your Problem
A. Put it in writing

Helps to clarify it
We sometimes find answers while stating the problem
B. Be sure you really have a problem
Sometimes our only problem is worry
Some problems are not worth having

VI. Search for Bible Principles
A. If there is no direct teaching available
B. Try to find principles that apply

Why it is important to express the problem clearly
There are principles for every situation

VII. Be Sure There Is No Sin or Disobedience Involved
A. If I regard iniquity in my heart (Psalm 66:18)
B. Sin blocks

Not doing what we know we should while seeking to know more
Broken fellowship prevents answers
C. Sometimes our problem is that we know the answer, but we just will not act on it

VIII. Seek Godly Counsel
A. Cautions

Do not go to those you know will agree with you
Do not seek too many
B. Why it helps
Others may have been through the same thing
The uninvolved see more clearly

IX. Do Not Act Until You Have to or Until You Know What to Do
A. Often we do not have answers because we do not need them yet
B. Many situations care for themselves or provide their own answers

X. Expect God to Give You Direction
A. Move on do not let it stop you
B. This verse is a promise

Conclusion:
Here’s what to do when you do not know what to do.
These steps can help you do something about the tough situations and keep you going until you find the solutions God has for you.

Almost too much for one sitting correct!?!

Well if we master this I think we’ll have beautiful feet for Jesus:

Romans 10: 14&15

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful [on the mountains (Isaiah 52:7)] are the feet of those who bring good news!”