The importance of trusting in God wholeheartedly, seeking His wisdom, and growing in understanding through obedience to His Word.
Good morning, family. Today, we're diving into the heart of trust, wisdom, and understanding, and how these elements play a significant role in our walk with God. We'll be studying Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5-8, and Psalm 119:105 - scriptures that inspire us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, seek His wisdom and understanding, and grow in knowledge through obedience.
As I was preparing for this sermon, I came across a quote from Charles Spurgeon that struck me deeply. He said, "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom." Wisdom is something that we as people need to turn to God for. His wisdom far surpasses ours and it is not simply because we lack knowledge.
Let's look at the scripture passages for today:
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
James 1:5-8 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
And finally, Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
As we unpack these verses today, let's invite the Holy Spirit to guide us, to open our hearts, and to deepen our understanding. Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We ask that You open our hearts to fully trust in You, to seek Your wisdom above all, and to grow in our knowledge of You through obedience. Holy Spirit, guide us through this study and enlighten our understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Let’s get started!
Proverbs 3:5: This verse is a powerful reminder of the kind of faith God desires from us - a faith that is wholehearted, unwavering, and complete. It's not a half-hearted trust or a trust that only comes into play when things are going well. It's a trust that permeates every aspect of our lives, in good times and in bad.
What does it mean? To place our confidence in Him, to rely on Him, and to believe in His goodness, regardless of our circumstances. It's about surrendering control and acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts. It's about letting go of our own understanding, our own plans, and our own desires, and instead, submitting to God's will and His plan for our lives.
Active trust: It involves a conscious decision to let God be God, to acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives. It's a trust that says, "Even though I don't understand, I will trust you. Even though I can't see the way forward, I will trust you. Even though my heart is heavy, I will trust you."
Trusting in His character: It means believing that He is good, that He is loving, and that He is faithful. It means trusting that He is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see it. It means trusting that He is a refuge and a fortress, a God in whom we can take refuge.
Doesn’t come naturally: It's something that we have to cultivate, something that we have to choose, day after day. It's something that grows as we spend time in God's word, as we pray, and as we experience His faithfulness in our lives.
A journey, not a destination: It's a process, not a one-time event. It's something that we grow into, as we walk with God, as we experience His faithfulness, and as we learn to surrender our lives to Him.
Trust is essential: Just as trust is essential in any relationship, it's also essential in our relationship with God. Without trust, our relationship with God would be shallow and superficial. But with trust, our relationship with God can grow deep and strong.
Impacts how we live our lives: When we trust in the Lord with all our heart, it changes how we respond to challenges, how we make decisions, and how we interact with others. It gives us peace in the midst of storms, wisdom in the face of confusion, and strength in the face of weakness.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when he had to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and how that experience deepened his faith and his relationship with God. This could also be a story about someone you know.
Seeking God's wisdom and understanding is not just about acquiring knowledge or facts about God, but it is about gaining a deep, intimate understanding of His nature, His ways, His will, and His purposes for our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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