Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Sept. 23, 2011

“All Your Heart…All You Do!”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." - Proverbs 3:5 (The New International Version)

“Some” cannot be found in this chapter, except for the word “someone” that appears in verse 30. “All” is used or implied throughout the 35 verses of the chapter. God wants all your heart, and he wants to impact all you do. He wants your loyalty, and he wants your obedience. Although he wants you to seek understanding, insight, and wisdom (Proverbs 2), he wants you to trust in his, not yours. In verse 7 he says, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil.” Commenting on these verses John Maxwell says, “Even good wisdom divorced from God can become a snare.” (Maxwell Leadership Bible).
He referred to himself as “The Great Blondin,” the first tightrope-walker to cross the Niagara Falls. He did this first in 1835. His name was Jean Francois Gravelot, a French aerialist. What brought fame to him was not only his ability to cross the Falls on a wire, but to do other things at the same time—like crossing it blindfolded. People who perform such stunts successfully have learned what it means to trust.
We live in a “non-absolute,” relative world—a world where “all” means “some” and “always” means “occasionally.” But when the writer of Proverbs recorded the words in his beloved book, he was inspired to use absolutes to describe God’s intentions about his children. And his promise is absolute as well. If you trust God completely and seek his will in matters big and small, “he will direct your paths.”
Do you remember the words of the old gospel song by Homer Grimes? What should I give Thee, Master—Thou who didst die for me? Shall I give less of what I possess, Or shall I give all to Thee? Jesus, my Lord and Saviour; Thou has giv’n all for me. Thou didst leave thy home above to die on Calvary . What should I give Thee Master—Thou has giv’n all for me? Not just a part, or half of my heart—I will give all to Thee.

Trust is not easy. It is not easy to give it or get it. It may take a while for us to get through this verse simply because we need to see what trust is and how it could make or break how we live as Christians. Do you trust God above yourself? Above others? Let us learn together how it can happen!
Pastor J. T. Carnell