"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding."
Proverbs 3:5
A passenger is seated on an airplane. He is about to take a flight with a pilot he doesn't know, has never seen, and he is trusting his training and ability for a safe flight. Now that is an example of trust. God wants us to trust Him, but He wants us to know Him and understand how to trust Him.
Our text for today makes it absolutely clear how we should trust God. First of all, we trust in the name of the LORD. That's the covenant name for God. His covenant is written in the Bible for all to read. He makes sure and everlasting promises to all who will trust Him. For instance, He promises everlasting life to all who believe or trust in Him (John 3:16).
We trust God with our hearts. The Bible uses the word heart most often to describe the inner man. It is our mind, will and emotions. With our mind, we read the promises of God. Then, we are willing to trust God. There is a willing choice. God does not make us trust Him. Trust is a personal relationship. God deals with us as persons, choosing to trust the promises of His word.
Finally, to trust God means we do not lean on our own understanding. The greatest deterrent to trusting God is not understanding. But think of how many people turn the ignition of a car switch to start the engine of their automobile without understanding how it works. How many people turn on a light in a room without understanding much about electrical outlets? How many people consent to surgery without understanding how the doctor operates? Life is about trust, even trusting people without understanding their expertise. Why should we not trust in the LORD, maker of heaven and earth, even our Creator?
God, we trust in You always.
