Understanding

Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Devotional:

True understanding about ourselves, others, and this life only comes through trust in God. God alone has perspective and truth. God alone has understanding about what matters, who we are, and what will happen. And the good news for you and me today is that our heavenly Father is absolutely longing to share his understanding. God yearns for us to think and see through the lens of the Holy Spirit and his word. Proverbs 3:5-8 says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Why is it that when Scripture promises us God’s understanding we still do life apart from his wisdom? Why do we look to our own minds and go our own ways when God makes his understanding and will so available? You and I are only capable of looking for understanding in that which we fully trust. If we don’t trust that God’s wisdom and will are truly the best path laid before us, we will go our own ways. If we don’t trust that God’s commands will actually produce the most abundant life, we will choose the ways of the world. To live with godly understanding and wisdom is to look to God alone as our Truth.

Proverbs 3:13-18 stirs my heart to lean on God for my understanding. Scripture says,

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

While all the world is declaring to you its understanding of truth, I pray that you will look to its One, True Source today. I pray that you will lean on your loving heavenly Father for understanding about yourself, your life, and others. May today be marked by a continual overflow of revelation. May you know how God feels about you and base your image off his understanding. May you experience to greater depths the perfect mind of Jesus. And may God’s word transform your life as it plants seeds of wisdom that grow into beautiful, plentiful trees of peace and life.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the availability of God’s understanding. Allow Scripture to stir up a desire to lean on your heavenly Father for truth and wisdom.

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

2. In what ways do you lean on yourself or something of the world for understanding and truth? What do you look to for your perspectives and source of value?
3. Take time to lean on God for his understanding. Search out Scripture and the Spirit for wisdom and understanding concerning yourself, your life, and others. Ask him to help you be one who seeks understanding from him in every area. Take time to rest in his presence and discover the wealth of his affections for you.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” Proverbs 20:5

Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-10 is my prayer for you. May your life bear the fruit of heavenly understanding today:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Extended Reading: Proverbs 3