Traveler With a Donkey Walks a Straight RoadBible World
3:5Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all the heart means giving Him full and undivided confidence instead of relying on limited human understanding. Not leaning on one's own understanding means deeply distrusting personal wisdom, judgment and prudence, and refusing to put confidence in man, human counsel or one's own heart, because human capacity is fallible and colored by weakness. Such trust is simple, active, childlike faith that clings to God, leans the whole weight on Christ, casts every burden and the whole self on Him, and holds on in earnest prayer until victory comes. Joined to the promise that follows it, acknowledging God in all ways and committing every step and perplexity to Him brings His unfailing direction of the path as a wise Counselor. This trust requires humility, teachableness and entire surrender of heart and will to Christ, joined with diligent effort, for dependence on self and finite wisdom brings certain failure and perplexity while trust brings peace, courage, strength and sustaining presence.
Trusting God Wholeheartedly
The command is to put full trust in the Lord with the whole heart instead of relying on limited human understanding. That trust belongs with acknowledging Him in every part of life and walking in harmony with Him, and in return He directs the path as a wise Counselor who never fails. For those working to save souls it means relying fully on His promises rather than on book knowledge, human ability, or limited wisdom. Safety comes from such complete submission to His will and ways joined to deep distrust of personal judgment, which would have kept one man from a dangerous course and would have enabled another to help and uplift the Wessels family. Maturity in His sight is this wholehearted trust instead of dependence on personal understanding.
Wholehearted trust is simple, active, clinging faith that looks above, takes Him at His Word, rests the case with Him, and leans the whole weight on Jesus rather than on self. It casts every grief and burden and the whole self on Him, even when feelings bring no joy or comfort, and persists through discouragement and doubt until victory is overcome in His name. It speaks through earnest prayer, for asking for help is never in vain since He comes near by Word and Spirit in a thousand ways to win confidence, delights to receive weak people who come for strength, answers with an ear to hear and an arm to save, never hides His face from supplication, and proves a present help when every other resource fails. Remembered answers prove He hears, as when Jacob pleading on the plains of Peniel obtained a mighty victory and Moses pleading to see His glory was heard, and such trust will never be betrayed and never be turned against the one who trusts, for heaven and earth would pass before the promise would fail. With God within and God overhead there is nothing to fear, and patient continuance in this trust carries through sorrow and strife to glory and honor and eternal life, giving elevating power to resist evil, steadfastness in trial, and at last an unfading crown, while bringing His care for the whole family.
Standing fast means clinging to Jesus with the whole heart, keeping the eyes fixed on Him without doubt or worry over betrayal, praying to be hidden in the cleft of the Rock while beholding His glory, and going forward in the name of the Lord God of Israel in His strength as the helper who gives spiritual power to overcome and to be more than conqueror. It means seeking Him, believing He hears, clinging to the arm of infinite power, for He is good and merciful, of tender pity and lovingkindness, does not willingly afflict or grieve, loves those who trust Him, and works with them to bless, sustain, comfort, strengthen, and give courage to live and honor Him. It is prayed in the early morning while seeking wisdom and grace with thanksgiving for tender, loving compassion, asking Him to guide the pen and direct speech so as not to sin with voice or pen, to teach truth so as not to err, confessing that man is weakness itself and that God is strength, fortitude, and courage to His people if they will diligently make Him their trust, rebuking faith as too small with the cry for help against unbelief. It refuses confidence in princes, in the speeches of brethren, in cold and unsympathizing ones, or in advisers not in His counsel, and instead asks counsel of God, studies the Bible as His voice, and brings the case to the great Intercessor standing before the mercy seat pleading for sinful man.
Trust is childlike in simplicity, as a child relies on a parent, replacing natural self-will with a teachable, submissive spirit under Christ's leading and authority in obedience. It lives close to Jesus and consults Him in all things, making Him the dependence and strength and present help in every need, refusing to lean on human support or let judgment be swayed by any human mind and counsel even when claimed to be sound, since following those without the same work and wisdom brings danger of serious blunders. For one whose work requires skillful management, deep thought, and power from above to deal with diseased bodies and ill-balanced minds, it means trusting the Chief Physician of soul and body, seeking His counsel and then moving according to best judgment and practical knowledge with God as the right arm of power, letting God lead in all things rather than moving rashly and prematurely, receiving from Christ as the source of wisdom skill to remedy soul as well as body with constant strength, wisdom, and daily counsel for doing great good, so that personal religion and the peace of God in the heart is imparted to others in soothing truth opened wisely to their understanding. Putting human plans and wisdom first causes those entrusted with important work to make grave mistakes and gives the work a human rather than God-shaped character.
Giving up self-sufficiency and self-confidence means feeling weakness, humbling the heart before God, and living in meekness and dependence on Him, which is better for directors of publishing work and for those with everything to learn in the religious life. Those who remain self-sufficient must learn hard lessons of daily submission and perfect obedience under His control, and only by that trust and submission will they grow in grace and knowledge of the truth and become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Full and entire trust comes through entire surrender, giving heart, will, and affections to Christ without reserve, being afraid to rely on personal understanding, refusing to follow impulses of heart and mind, and following instead the leadings of the Holy Spirit until will and even thoughts are brought into subjection to Christ in constant loyalty. When truth of heavenly origin with sanctifying power abides as a living principle, this trust must be exercised again and again to break the fetters of the enemy.
In affliction trust rests in Christ and His righteousness as the only hope, with assurance that He never fails those who so trust Him. Complete reliance secures His sustaining presence, so that one facing a long journey and the ordeal of testifying in court will not be left alone but upheld to speak only the truth, joined to asking God for wisdom with confidence that He gives it when sought. Trusting fully means discharging individual duty while expecting greater light and blessings, and this brings Christ, the Light of the world, to be present, for the moment of greatest discouragement is when the divine Helper is nearest to those who fear and seek Him, revealing Himself by surpassing utmost expectations. He speaks in prosperity but is not heard because the gift is received and the Giver forgotten, so in mercy He comes close through affliction, suffering, and adversity when thick clouds make His love hard to read, yet even when feeling forsaken His everlasting arms of love are underneath holding by strong power so none perish without His love. Wholehearted trust brings safe guidance through the future by turning from sad and discouraging things in the past, believing in His power to save, taking hold of His salvation, engaging heartily in His work, and resting on His personal care, for the One who cares even for the sparrow cares for the person, holds the future in His hand, brings blessing to person and family, and spares health and mind from injury caused by dwelling on things that do no good.
In affliction this means dismissing fear, anxiety, doubt, and unbelief and calmly relying on His care and mercy, with faith resting on the evidence He has given and trusting that He has charge of His servant. Those who keep His commandments have great peace through trusting Him with the whole heart, acknowledging Him in all ways so He directs the paths, following His ways in unquestioned obedience and doing His will as revealed in Christ Jesus. That life does not make self a sin-bearer for the world, a judge of character, or a planner of duties for others, does not feed the mind on the defects of others nor condemn what does not commend itself to personal judgment, but uses entrusted talents for the good of others and for praise and thanksgiving to the Father, gives self to God to do good, strengthens weak hands and feeble knees, and leaves to God what cannot be cured and is not known how to manage. Trusting Him brings self-control and strength and calls for patience and a mind not easily disturbed. It is a living, abiding sense that He is the best and truest Friend, kept with thankfulness for Jesus and freedom from ingratitude, not dwelling on affliction for self or others, leaving the future with Him when worn and unable to endure physical taxation, pained by excitement, facing continued labor and travel with life uncertain, and willing to lean upon children for help, comfort, and blessing, going forward cheerfully and doing the best one can rather than worrying, fretting, complaining, or losing confidence.
Trusting the Lord means being of good courage and holding fast to His promises and not letting the enemy rob of them, resting on the promise that those who separate from the world will have God as Father and be His sons and daughters. That trust is shown by seeking inward adorning and a meek and quiet spirit rather than outward display, which makes a person precious in Heaven's sight. It is shown by praising and rejoicing in Him even in darkness and temptation, scattering light and life to elevate others and point them to Heaven and the immortal inheritance.
Rejecting Human Understanding
Not leaning on personal understanding means deeply distrusting one's own wisdom, judgment, prudence and supposed prudence, because human capacity at best is limited, fallible, understands little of the operations of the heart or the mysteries of providence, and can be colored by inherited weaknesses and defects of character. Safety comes from complete submission to God's will and ways with continual dependence on His word and providence, holding a humble view of self while still exercising powers, taking responsibility, using every ability, and acting with faith and energy. Those who work for others must not depend on finite wisdom, for dependence on self brings certain failure, while humbly trusting with the whole heart and relying fully on the promises gives the direction of a wise Counselor who never fails and makes humble workers mighty in service. Even people of great ability and God-given wisdom need this continual dependence, submerging self in God's will and letting His ways be their ways, dwelling not on self but on Jesus, which forbids both self-confidence and despondency since only a few steps trusting to self go beyond depth. Such humility is the constant attendant of true wisdom, readily admitting failings and that one's own understanding may not be perfect, patiently listening to counsel, carefully weighing what bears the recommendation of age and experience, moving out by faith and venturing into deep waters to carry the work forward instead of moving too slowly and hugging the shore.
The command forbids putting confidence in man, in princes, in human counsel and opinions, or in one's own heart and judgment, and forbids letting judgment be swayed by any human mind, even counsel that claims to be sound. Trust belongs fully in the Lord as dependence and strength and present help in every need, with the simplicity with which a child relies on a parent, leaving one's case in His hands for strength, uprightness and guidance because human beings are unstable guides whose hearts are not at rest. Following those who do not have the same work and wisdom brings danger of serious blunders, as when urged not to rely on one human leader but to lean firmly on Jesus Christ and cast the helpless soul upon Him to receive light in the heart. This trust is shown by humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer, and caution in plans and actions, connecting the soul with God by earnest prayer and depending implicitly on divine truth. Israel's failures in Samuel's time warn that pride and self-reliance repeat the same mistakes, while God's work endures when divine power is joined with human effort by those who have the mind of Christ.
Leaning on one's own understanding means allowing an unsanctified will to rule, making self supreme, and following personal ideas, opinions, reason, judgment, imaginations, inclinations and will against God's specific requirements, which separates the soul from God. God's requirements may feel irksome to those who prefer unchecked self-indulgence, yet laying aside own will to follow implicitly God's will as little children who believe and accept by faith what He sets before them even when it does not commend itself to mind and judgment exposes and restrains wrong practices and plans. Persisting in one's own ideas and using one's own judgment as the standard after rejecting admonitions is dangerous and can keep a person from turning from sin, turning from worldly selfish policies being replaced by Christ's meekness and simplicity. Rejecting the counsel of God's servants to pursue one's own course leads to shipwreck of faith, while humility and harmony with God's plan are the safe alternative, and those who have left established truths to rely on their own judgment are morally and spiritually defective until cleansed through the blood of the Lamb. The sure result is disobedience that perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light and opens the mind to the tempter until one's will blends with Satan's will until he masters mind and judgment, as when Cain refused to shed the blood of a lamb because he could not understandingly accept it and brought a beautiful offering that left out the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God, and that neglect led to hatred of Abel and murder and curse.
Those entrusted with sacred responsibilities, publishing work, and teaching youth must not depend confidently on personal judgment, treat it as infallible, run ahead, insist on their own plans, or place fellow workers in partnership with God under human dictation and control. Keeping God in all thoughts, recognizing weakness and seeking strength and wisdom from above each day, guards against deception and neglect of duty, requiring setting aside pride, comparing ideas, considering improvements, learning from others and from Christ's meekness and lowliness, and working together in unity rather than treating disagreement or having one's own way as virtue. Teachers must humble their hearts under the weight of educating youth for immortal life, learning daily in the school of Christ, taking God's word as their personal lesson book as the voice of God, praying with earnestness as souls who feel their peril, so the atmosphere around the soul is changed and self-confidence and desire to be first are subdued. All human works are under the Lord's jurisdiction and knowledge is with the Most High, so assuming over others power God has not given repeats the spirit of Uzzah laying his hand on the ark as though God could not care for His sacred work, and God will judge those who assume such authority, not even muzzling the ox that treads out the grain but leaving God to rule.
Not leaning means refusing to walk in finite human wisdom or be guided by human opinions, and refusing to act as if at liberty to question, review, endorse, revise, reshape, misconstrue, misinterpret, bend, manipulate, break or judge God's plain decisions and statutes to please self and the multitude. Trusting with the whole heart means making God the guide and His Word the counselor, depending implicitly on divine truth, clinging to the pillars of faith, keeping all His commandments as the only safe way, and testing everything by the law and the testimony. Those who reject light and lean on their own understanding can become strongly deluded, accepting falsehood as truth and preferring distorted ideas to God's Word, though God gives enough evidence to decide without forcing faith or removing every possibility of doubt. Those who faithfully seek God in much prayer and diligently search the Scriptures day by day are led in the right way by His counsel, beholding the lamp of life with the Word as light to the feet guiding in straight paths under the Father of lights, while leaning to one's own understanding in perilous days brings only disappointment and sorrow like following sparks of one's own kindling. Seeking Him earnestly for wisdom in every plan gives Jesus as individual present help and sufficiency in every emergency who leads followers in sure safe paths, so truth acted out becomes a life-giving influence on the heart and the path of the just shines more and more unto the perfect day.
Receiving God's Guidance
Joined to the next verse, the promise is that acknowledging God in all ways brings His direction of the path. Full trust with the whole heart instead of reliance on limited human wisdom, with obedience to known duty and refusal to choose one's own way, is honored by God who directs those who cultivate such faith and trust. For those working for the salvation of souls this means relying fully on God's promises and accepting His guidance as that of a wise Counselor who never fails. It requires a humble view of self, doing all that can be done and then trusting God to work with the effort, and then humble men are made mighty in His service by divine assistance. God directs at every step those who commit their ways to Him, seek His will in every action, and look to Him in every perplexity, difficulty and uncertainty. Trust must be wholehearted rather than reliance on one's own judgment, strength or wisdom, making God counselor and guide in all things and continually seeking His will as a source of strength. Believers are to commit the way to Him and depend on His guidance for each step even when the future is unclear, trusting Him for guidance in every place they go, learning from Him, following His leading and doing His work intelligently. His leading through difficulties along straight paths is what they would choose if they could see the outcome and purpose of their lives. Trusting God means believing He loves and knows what is best, and choosing His way instead of relying on one's own understanding. Faith accepts His wisdom for ignorance, His strength for weakness, and His righteousness for sinfulness. When help is sought in faith and humility rather than imperfect human planning, He gives wisdom, knowledge, understanding, light, skill and strength for entrusted responsibilities and the work placed before His people. His sure word is the basis for that trust, and acknowledging Him in all ways brings His instruction and direction and makes the path plain, while in education and in every plan He must be recognized as the source of true wisdom and guide, with book knowledge joined to living faith and dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than human ability alone. Guidance comes through making the Word the only guide, depending implicitly on the teachings of divine truth, clinging to the pillars of faith, and testing everything by the law and the testimony. Those who faithfully seek God in much prayer and diligently search the Scriptures day by day, study the Bible as the voice of God, and bring the case to the great Intercessor before the mercy seat instead of putting confidence in man, princes, speeches, cold advisers or human opinions, will be led in the right way and guided by His counsel in straight paths as a lamp to the feet under the direction of the Father of light. Such seeking is with a humble, believing heart in childlike simplicity and clinging faith, taking God at His Word and resting the case with Him, refusing to question, revise, reshape or judge His plain decisions to please self and the multitude but receiving faith from the living oracles. Every plan is to be spread before God with fasting and humbling of soul, with faith, hope and trust cultivated, with every ability used in sharp, calm, deep thinking, watching, waiting, patience and submission while casting all care upon Him rather than rushing ahead on favorable appearances, and then the committed way carries the sure promise that He who is infinite in resources and holds each individuality in keeping will direct the paths and open the way by providence. Remembered answers prove He hears, as when Jacob pleading on the plains of Peniel obtained a mighty victory and Moses pleading to see God's glory was heard. Keeping all His commandments is the only safe way to walk, with Jesus as individual present help and sufficiency in every emergency leading followers in sure, safe paths so that truth acted out becomes a life-giving influence. As Counselor and present help in every time of need and in trouble, God opens the way, arranges matters so work can be done successfully, carries the whole burden of responsibility, and makes humble workers mighty so that divine power joined with human effort endures. In perplexity He is to be made counselor and guide in all things rather than leaning on human support or letting judgment be swayed by any human mind and counsel even when claimed to be sound. Living close to Jesus and consulting Him in all things with childlike simplicity gives strength to stand and flourish even when human support is removed, and for work requiring skillful management gives skill for soul as well as body with constant strength, wisdom and daily counsel to do great good and impart personal religion and peace to others. Those who so depend show humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer and caution in plans, possessing the mind of Christ and avoiding the proud self-reliance that caused Israel's failures in Samuel's time.
Humility and Surrender Required
Trust in the Lord with the whole heart requires humility, lowliness, teachableness, and continual dependence on God and His providence rather than on personal wisdom, judgment and prudence. Even those of great ability and God-given wisdom must deeply distrust self, for human capacity at best is limited, understands little of the operations of the natural heart or the mysteries of providence, and goes beyond its depth after only a very few steps trusting to self. True wisdom therefore has humility as its constant attendant, readily admitting failings and weaknesses and that one's own understanding may not be perfect, patiently listening to the advice and counsel of others, carefully weighing what bears the recommendation of age and experience and incorporating its force, while continuing perseveringly to learn as well as to teach. The young especially are to walk prayerfully and carefully, seeking the Lord's way at each step and using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do through them, with humility and no self-confidence or boasting. In every position and kind of work this humble recognition of need for help, reliance on God's word rather than one's own judgment, acknowledgment of His providence, and prayer brings wise guidance through life and keeps interests safe in this world and the next, while reliance on one's own wisdom brings sorrow, disappointment and certain failure; sincere seekers of truth and knowledge receive increased understanding, and workers for others become receptive to His counsel instead of failing.
Trust requires entire surrender of heart, will and affections, laying aside self-will and natural self-will for a childlike, teachable, submissive spirit that lets Christ lead and guide. It means following implicitly the dictates of God's will as little children who believe and accept by faith what God sets before them even when it cannot be understandingly accepted and does not commend itself to mind and judgment, recognizing Christ's authority by obeying Him. Complete submission to God's will and ways with deep distrust of one's own wisdom gives safety and would keep one from a dangerous course, for relying on one's own understanding leads into false paths. To trust is to place oneself wholly in His hands and rely on His love and wisdom rather than one's own judgment, submitting will and actions to His management, surrendering mind and will to Him to be led in the right way, and setting aside personal wishes to follow His direction. Leaning to one's own understanding is following own will, ideas, opinions, reason, judgment and imaginations against God's specific requirements and refusing counsel, as when Cain refused to shed the blood of a lamb because he could not understandingly accept the requirement and brought a beautiful offering that left out the only thing that gave it value, the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God whose blood shed to save a lost world was to be prefigured in every offering. The sure result of that course is disobedience that perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light, and opens the mind to the tempter, so that own will followed blends with Satan's will until he masters and controls mind and judgment and leads where men did not contemplate going, as Cain's neglect led to hatred of Abel and the Lord and to murder bringing curse, and God's words to Cain to do well by obeying and give no place to the devil stand to the close of earth's history.
Dependence does not excuse idleness but joins diligent effort with faith, holding a humble view of self, trusting fully in the promises of God, and then receiving direction from a wise Counselor who never fails, directs the paths, and makes humble men mighty in His service. Every jot of ability is to be used in sharp, calm, deep thinking rather than a listless, indolent, slothful attitude, every plan spread before God with fasting and humbling of soul, with faith and hope and trust cultivated instead of weak faith, carrying the sure promise that He who is infinite in resources, who calls the host of heaven by name and holds the stars in position and has each individuality in His keeping, will direct the paths. One is to exercise powers and take responsibility while dwelling not on self but on Jesus, forbidding both self-confidence and despondency, using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do, and acting with faith and energy. For ministers and workers this means moving out by faith, venturing and running risks to carry the work forward instead of moving too slowly and hugging the shore, working with energy and faith in deep waters to see results, doing all one can do and then trusting God to work with the effort. God's power thus joined with human effort makes the work endure, producing humility and meekness, less talking and more prayer, and caution in plans and actions.
Trust makes each person individually lean his whole weight on God as support, looking to Him and trusting in Him for light, wisdom and direction rather than depending on fellow workers, leaders, officers, human opinion or power for light and wisdom and direction. While heartily cooperating with brethren in carrying out general plans, laborers are constantly to look to the God of Israel for personal guidance, following personal conviction of duty instead of waiting at every step to ask an officer whether they may act or submitting to arbitrary human ordering. No one should lean a helpless soul on another person, rely on one person's counsel as guide, or make flesh his arm by measuring among themselves and comparing one with another to estimate importance, for God does not estimate by position or rank but by how much of the Spirit of the Master is cherished and how much of the likeness of Christ the work reveals, and he who listens most earnestly and intently for the voice of God loves the Lord the most. The Lord Himself must be wisdom, known individually as sanctification and redemption and as a present help in every time of need, and as General over all in every line of work, teaching each one directly what duty is and where to work. So the one who trusts is taught by God Himself whether to go or to stay and does not have to receive duty secondhand through a husband or any other human judgment, but seeks the Lord in prayer for direction, relies on God as strength, ability and director, and remains free to wait for God's direction rather than submit to human dictation.
Trust requires honoring the Holy Spirit by following where it leads and letting it use and mold after the divine Pattern, following where Christ leads as the safe path for the feet, rather than trusting one's own judgment, running ahead of Christ, or using the Holy Spirit by force and presumption that is not heaven born. This calls for heavenly wisdom and a rich daily experience in earnest, diligent, persistent prayer like the importunate widow, seeking God to give depth and solidity and to be rewarded, with caution in every utterance lest ardent temperament stir up a zeal not according to knowledge and mar God's work, for God's work done in His way will stand because whatever God says is truth. It means trusting wholly in God's wisdom and not leaning to one's own understanding, prayed for in the early morning while seeking wisdom and grace with thanksgiving for tender, loving compassion, asking God to guide the pen and direct speech so as not to sin against Him with voice or pen, and to teach His truth so as not to err from His way. It confesses that man is weakness itself and that God is strength, fortitude and courage to His people if they will diligently make Him their trust, rebuking faith as too small and crying for help for unbelief. Plans and decisions are thus to be brought humbly before God with faith and confidence in His guidance, and seeking God earnestly instead of pursuing speculation brings certainty and knowledge of duty.
Dangers of Self-Reliance
Dependence on self and finite wisdom brings certain failure, and leaning to human understanding in days of peril brings nothing but disappointment and sorrow, like following sparks of one's own kindling. Those who work for salvation of souls must hold a humble view of self and rely fully on God's promises, for then they are directed by a wise Counselor who directs the path and makes humble workers mighty, giving divine assistance to those who do all they can and then trust Him to work with their efforts. In every position and kind of work safety for this life and the life to come lies in humbly recognizing need of help, relying on God's Word rather than personal judgment, acknowledging His providence, praying earnestly, searching Scripture daily, and following His leading and instruction instead of human devising. Apart from His guidance and the Spirit's control, even the wisdom of those in influence becomes foolishness, and dependence on human wisdom does not honor Him nor push His enterprises forward on right lines, while trusting Him brings cooperation, success, light from the Sun of Righteousness, and leading afterward to glory. Relying on one's own understanding leads away from what is right and can end in deception and ruin, especially when duty conflicts with inclination and a pleasing course is persisted in rather than the course known to be right.
Resisting God's Spirit by persisting in one's own ideas and making personal judgment the standard is dangerous and can keep a person from turning from sin. Leaning to one's own understanding means following one's own will, ideas, opinions, reason, judgment, and imaginations against God's specific requirements and refusing counsel, even when what He sets before cannot be understandingly accepted or commend itself to mind and judgment. Cain illustrates this, for he could not understandingly accept the requirement to shed the blood of a lamb and brought a beautiful offering that left out the only thing giving it value, the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God whose blood shed to save a lost world was to be shown in every offering. His neglect led to hatred of Abel and the Lord and to murder bringing a curse, showing how disobedience perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light, and opens the mind until one's will blends with Satan's will so that he masters and controls mind and judgment and leads where men did not contemplate going. Rejecting light and truth and the counsel of God's servants to pursue one's own course can thus bring strong delusion in which falsehood is accepted as truth, shipwreck of faith, and moral and spiritual defect that is not changed by closing the eyes to it, for God gives enough evidence to decide yet does not force faith nor remove every possibility of doubt, and the remedy is cleansing through the blood of the Lamb with humility and harmony with His plan. The word to Cain to do well by obeying and give no place to the devil is to be repeated to the close of earth's history.
No ability, integrity, position, prosperity, or past service makes self-trust safe. Praise can exalt a person and cause loss of balance, so ability and human judgment must never become a source of self-confidence, and people in positions of influence and responsibility especially must depend on God to teach and guide at every step lest judgment become distorted and they fall. Israel's failures in Samuel's time warn that God's people will repeat those mistakes if proud and self-reliant, showing trust by humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer, and caution in plans and actions, with divine power joined to human effort revealing the mind of Christ. Assuming over fellow workers in partnership with God a dictating control that God has not given repeats the spirit of Uzzah laying his hand on the ark as though He could not care for His sacred work, for all human works are under the Lord's jurisdiction and knowledge is with the Most High, and those in responsible positions must not treat their own judgment as infallible nor muzzle the ox that treads out the grain but leave God to rule, under pain of His judgment.
Walking by one's own understanding instead of walking with God hinders His work. Those who rely on their own judgment and are wise only in their own eyes consume rather than produce and tear down rather than build up, obstructing the work by human ideas and needing conversion lest He turn His face from them. For men in responsible positions, especially in the publishing work arranged and established under His special supervision, trusting to perverted wisdom means planning to carry out special ideas and molding and fashioning things by personal judgment, which establishes an order contrary to the light of His Word and brings results unfavorable to the advancement of His cause, so it is unsafe to allow such men to control decisions until hearts are softened and broken by Him. Trust in God should therefore take the place of independent action, by seeking counsel from fellow believers and working in harmony with them under His supervision and controlling influence.
Relying on human judgment instead of trusting the Lord leaves the soul in danger when it turns from God, not abiding in Christ and not riveted to the eternal Rock. It leads away from practical godliness and leaves a person without hope of heaven or a relationship with God. When God tests and proves His people and everything that can be shaken is shaken, only those who trust Him stand, while those whose faith has been grounded in man and who rely on their own understanding are subject to change and departure, and the call is to dependence on Him while examining motives and seeking assurance of His love.
Trust in Daily Living
For missionary and soul-winning work, education, and ministry, the verse requires relying fully on divine promises and the Holy Spirit rather than on finite wisdom, book knowledge, or human ability alone. Dependence on self in that work brings certain failure, while humble wholehearted trust brings direction as from a wise Counselor who never fails those who do all they can and then trust Him to work with their efforts. Those who acknowledge Him in all their ways receive increased understanding, and sincere seekers of truth and knowledge are given wisdom and help to do His work carefully and faithfully at every step.
In planning and decisions about business, contracts, alliances, appointments, schools, sanitariums, publishing, and marriage, plans are to be spread before God, counsel sought in prayer, and His directions followed instead of human devising. Dependence on human wisdom and insistence on one's own plans brings failure and does not honor God, while following His instruction brings His cooperation and success along right lines. In publishing this means setting aside pride, learning from others and from Christ's meekness and lowliness, comparing ideas, considering improvements, and working together in unity rather than treating disagreement or having one's own way as a virtue. In marriage it means not trusting one's own judgment as sufficient but considering the matter carefully and prayerfully instead of insisting on personal wishes and inclinations, since acting as though one fully understands without God's wisdom can lead to painful mistakes. In school work and general affairs it means committing personal plans to God, studying His will, being patient, submissive, and willing to wait for providence to open the way instead of rushing ahead on favorable appearances, seeking heavenly wisdom through much prayer while casting all care upon Him even when means are lacking and a desired opportunity must be delayed.
In trouble, perplexity, danger, sickness, and unclear futures, trust means committing the way to God rather than relying on one's own understanding or choosing one's own way, obeying known duty, looking to His will in every action, and turning to Him in every uncertainty. He is to be made counselor and guide in all things, and those who cultivate such faith and trust are honored by Him and find confidence in Him a source of strength. This includes leaning wholly on Him through trials and receiving His lessons in humility and weakness, going forward even with a sick child and trusting providence as with Haskell in New York City, believing He works for present and eternal good while waiting patiently for Him to open the way. In trials and persecution He reveals human weakness and His own strength, drawing His children near, testing faith, building spiritual strength, preparing them to meet emergencies, to serve in positions of trust, and to fulfill their purpose.
In daily life this trust belongs in the home through regular family prayer that keeps the household under His guidance, since neglecting that duty leaves people to their own wisdom. For youth choosing their course it means depending fully on the Lord rather than trusting their own judgment, because they may not know their own weaknesses or what lies ahead and are not free to choose without consulting their Creator's will. It is walking prayerfully and carefully, seeking the Lord's way and looking to Him for wisdom and guidance at every step, using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do through them, with true wisdom marked by humility rather than self-confidence or boasting. It also means doing the best one can and trusting when means are lacking, acknowledging the Lord in all ways so that He directs the paths in unquestioned obedience, using entrusted talents for the good of others and for praise and thanksgiving, strengthening weak hands and feeble knees, and leaving to God what cannot be cured and is not known how to manage without making oneself a sin-bearer, judge of character, or planner of duties for others.
Such trust keeps one under God's supervision in practical duties such as a mother's care, business, study, preparation for ministry, and household arrangements, with Him made counselor so that press of business and study does not turn one aside from usefulness or retard advancement in the divine life. Wholehearted trust brings safe guidance through the future because the One who cares even for the sparrow cares for the person and holds the future in His hand, turning from sad and discouraging things in the past, taking hold of His salvation, engaging heartily in His work, and bringing blessing to person and family while sparing health and mind from injury. He subjects His people to trial to teach entire dependence, and through trial of faith spiritual strength is gained; rightly received experiences in humility and weakness prepare for work done in His name, reveal His power in a marked manner, and require sharing in Christ's sufferings in order to share in His glory. Walking humbly with God in believing dependence rather than craven fear, making the Lord the trust and crown of rejoicing, being often in prayer for mercy, and walking in His way gives secure walking even when stringent laws require leaving cities for land, raising one's own produce, and being prepared for emergency.
Trusting with the whole heart enabled one man to help and uplift the Wessels family instead of being hindered by personal judgment. It required Dr. Rand to lean firmly on Jesus Christ rather than rely on Dr. Kellogg or on human counsel. Those who live in vital connection with God by trusting Him with the whole heart receive understanding and knowledge from God Himself as wisdom, stand firm as a rock to principle without compromise with surrounding idolatry, and become representatives of God to the world as Joseph was in Egypt and as Daniel and his fellows were in Babylon, carrying truth to heathen nations and making known the distinguishing characteristics of worshippers of the Creator. Youth who honor the Lord in this way are honored by Him, and every institution bearing the name Seventh-day Adventist is to fulfill this same calling. God, who knows the future and holds each individuality in His keeping, infinite in resources, is to be trusted to plan life and shape destiny rather than letting human agencies mark out years in advance or letting flattering prospects of greatness and ambition rule. Safety lies in giving self to God unreservedly every day, refusing unsanctified impulses, spreading every plan before Him with fasting and humbling of soul, cultivating faith and hope and trust, using every jot of ability in sharp, calm, deep thinking rather than listlessness, and letting Providence shape the future as ways committed to Him carry the sure promise that He will direct the paths.
Trust in the Lord with all the heart means giving Him full and undivided confidence instead of relying on limited human understanding. Not leaning on one's own understanding means deeply distrusting personal wisdom, judgment and prudence, and refusing to put confidence in man, human counsel or one's own heart, because human capacity is fallible and colored by weakness. Such trust is simple, active, childlike faith that clings to God, leans the whole weight on Christ, casts every burden and the whole self on Him, and holds on in earnest prayer until victory comes. Joined to the promise that follows it, acknowledging God in all ways and committing every step and perplexity to Him brings His unfailing direction of the path as a wise Counselor. This trust requires humility, teachableness and entire surrender of heart and will to Christ, joined with diligent effort, for dependence on self and finite wisdom brings certain failure and perplexity while trust brings peace, courage, strength and sustaining presence.
Trusting God Wholeheartedly
The command is to put full trust in the Lord with the whole heart instead of relying on limited human understanding. That trust belongs with acknowledging Him in every part of life and walking in harmony with Him, and in return He directs the path as a wise Counselor who never fails. For those working to save souls it means relying fully on His promises rather than on book knowledge, human ability, or limited wisdom. Safety comes from such complete submission to His will and ways joined to deep distrust of personal judgment, which would have kept one man from a dangerous course and would have enabled another to help and uplift the Wessels family. Maturity in His sight is this wholehearted trust instead of dependence on personal understanding.
Wholehearted trust is simple, active, clinging faith that looks above, takes Him at His Word, rests the case with Him, and leans the whole weight on Jesus rather than on self. It casts every grief and burden and the whole self on Him, even when feelings bring no joy or comfort, and persists through discouragement and doubt until victory is overcome in His name. It speaks through earnest prayer, for asking for help is never in vain since He comes near by Word and Spirit in a thousand ways to win confidence, delights to receive weak people who come for strength, answers with an ear to hear and an arm to save, never hides His face from supplication, and proves a present help when every other resource fails. Remembered answers prove He hears, as when Jacob pleading on the plains of Peniel obtained a mighty victory and Moses pleading to see His glory was heard, and such trust will never be betrayed and never be turned against the one who trusts, for heaven and earth would pass before the promise would fail. With God within and God overhead there is nothing to fear, and patient continuance in this trust carries through sorrow and strife to glory and honor and eternal life, giving elevating power to resist evil, steadfastness in trial, and at last an unfading crown, while bringing His care for the whole family.
Standing fast means clinging to Jesus with the whole heart, keeping the eyes fixed on Him without doubt or worry over betrayal, praying to be hidden in the cleft of the Rock while beholding His glory, and going forward in the name of the Lord God of Israel in His strength as the helper who gives spiritual power to overcome and to be more than conqueror. It means seeking Him, believing He hears, clinging to the arm of infinite power, for He is good and merciful, of tender pity and lovingkindness, does not willingly afflict or grieve, loves those who trust Him, and works with them to bless, sustain, comfort, strengthen, and give courage to live and honor Him. It is prayed in the early morning while seeking wisdom and grace with thanksgiving for tender, loving compassion, asking Him to guide the pen and direct speech so as not to sin with voice or pen, to teach truth so as not to err, confessing that man is weakness itself and that God is strength, fortitude, and courage to His people if they will diligently make Him their trust, rebuking faith as too small with the cry for help against unbelief. It refuses confidence in princes, in the speeches of brethren, in cold and unsympathizing ones, or in advisers not in His counsel, and instead asks counsel of God, studies the Bible as His voice, and brings the case to the great Intercessor standing before the mercy seat pleading for sinful man.
Trust is childlike in simplicity, as a child relies on a parent, replacing natural self-will with a teachable, submissive spirit under Christ's leading and authority in obedience. It lives close to Jesus and consults Him in all things, making Him the dependence and strength and present help in every need, refusing to lean on human support or let judgment be swayed by any human mind and counsel even when claimed to be sound, since following those without the same work and wisdom brings danger of serious blunders. For one whose work requires skillful management, deep thought, and power from above to deal with diseased bodies and ill-balanced minds, it means trusting the Chief Physician of soul and body, seeking His counsel and then moving according to best judgment and practical knowledge with God as the right arm of power, letting God lead in all things rather than moving rashly and prematurely, receiving from Christ as the source of wisdom skill to remedy soul as well as body with constant strength, wisdom, and daily counsel for doing great good, so that personal religion and the peace of God in the heart is imparted to others in soothing truth opened wisely to their understanding. Putting human plans and wisdom first causes those entrusted with important work to make grave mistakes and gives the work a human rather than God-shaped character.
Giving up self-sufficiency and self-confidence means feeling weakness, humbling the heart before God, and living in meekness and dependence on Him, which is better for directors of publishing work and for those with everything to learn in the religious life. Those who remain self-sufficient must learn hard lessons of daily submission and perfect obedience under His control, and only by that trust and submission will they grow in grace and knowledge of the truth and become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Full and entire trust comes through entire surrender, giving heart, will, and affections to Christ without reserve, being afraid to rely on personal understanding, refusing to follow impulses of heart and mind, and following instead the leadings of the Holy Spirit until will and even thoughts are brought into subjection to Christ in constant loyalty. When truth of heavenly origin with sanctifying power abides as a living principle, this trust must be exercised again and again to break the fetters of the enemy.
In affliction trust rests in Christ and His righteousness as the only hope, with assurance that He never fails those who so trust Him. Complete reliance secures His sustaining presence, so that one facing a long journey and the ordeal of testifying in court will not be left alone but upheld to speak only the truth, joined to asking God for wisdom with confidence that He gives it when sought. Trusting fully means discharging individual duty while expecting greater light and blessings, and this brings Christ, the Light of the world, to be present, for the moment of greatest discouragement is when the divine Helper is nearest to those who fear and seek Him, revealing Himself by surpassing utmost expectations. He speaks in prosperity but is not heard because the gift is received and the Giver forgotten, so in mercy He comes close through affliction, suffering, and adversity when thick clouds make His love hard to read, yet even when feeling forsaken His everlasting arms of love are underneath holding by strong power so none perish without His love. Wholehearted trust brings safe guidance through the future by turning from sad and discouraging things in the past, believing in His power to save, taking hold of His salvation, engaging heartily in His work, and resting on His personal care, for the One who cares even for the sparrow cares for the person, holds the future in His hand, brings blessing to person and family, and spares health and mind from injury caused by dwelling on things that do no good.
In affliction this means dismissing fear, anxiety, doubt, and unbelief and calmly relying on His care and mercy, with faith resting on the evidence He has given and trusting that He has charge of His servant. Those who keep His commandments have great peace through trusting Him with the whole heart, acknowledging Him in all ways so He directs the paths, following His ways in unquestioned obedience and doing His will as revealed in Christ Jesus. That life does not make self a sin-bearer for the world, a judge of character, or a planner of duties for others, does not feed the mind on the defects of others nor condemn what does not commend itself to personal judgment, but uses entrusted talents for the good of others and for praise and thanksgiving to the Father, gives self to God to do good, strengthens weak hands and feeble knees, and leaves to God what cannot be cured and is not known how to manage. Trusting Him brings self-control and strength and calls for patience and a mind not easily disturbed. It is a living, abiding sense that He is the best and truest Friend, kept with thankfulness for Jesus and freedom from ingratitude, not dwelling on affliction for self or others, leaving the future with Him when worn and unable to endure physical taxation, pained by excitement, facing continued labor and travel with life uncertain, and willing to lean upon children for help, comfort, and blessing, going forward cheerfully and doing the best one can rather than worrying, fretting, complaining, or losing confidence.
Trusting the Lord means being of good courage and holding fast to His promises and not letting the enemy rob of them, resting on the promise that those who separate from the world will have God as Father and be His sons and daughters. That trust is shown by seeking inward adorning and a meek and quiet spirit rather than outward display, which makes a person precious in Heaven's sight. It is shown by praising and rejoicing in Him even in darkness and temptation, scattering light and life to elevate others and point them to Heaven and the immortal inheritance.
Rejecting Human Understanding
Not leaning on personal understanding means deeply distrusting one's own wisdom, judgment, prudence and supposed prudence, because human capacity at best is limited, fallible, understands little of the operations of the heart or the mysteries of providence, and can be colored by inherited weaknesses and defects of character. Safety comes from complete submission to God's will and ways with continual dependence on His word and providence, holding a humble view of self while still exercising powers, taking responsibility, using every ability, and acting with faith and energy. Those who work for others must not depend on finite wisdom, for dependence on self brings certain failure, while humbly trusting with the whole heart and relying fully on the promises gives the direction of a wise Counselor who never fails and makes humble workers mighty in service. Even people of great ability and God-given wisdom need this continual dependence, submerging self in God's will and letting His ways be their ways, dwelling not on self but on Jesus, which forbids both self-confidence and despondency since only a few steps trusting to self go beyond depth. Such humility is the constant attendant of true wisdom, readily admitting failings and that one's own understanding may not be perfect, patiently listening to counsel, carefully weighing what bears the recommendation of age and experience, moving out by faith and venturing into deep waters to carry the work forward instead of moving too slowly and hugging the shore.
The command forbids putting confidence in man, in princes, in human counsel and opinions, or in one's own heart and judgment, and forbids letting judgment be swayed by any human mind, even counsel that claims to be sound. Trust belongs fully in the Lord as dependence and strength and present help in every need, with the simplicity with which a child relies on a parent, leaving one's case in His hands for strength, uprightness and guidance because human beings are unstable guides whose hearts are not at rest. Following those who do not have the same work and wisdom brings danger of serious blunders, as when urged not to rely on one human leader but to lean firmly on Jesus Christ and cast the helpless soul upon Him to receive light in the heart. This trust is shown by humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer, and caution in plans and actions, connecting the soul with God by earnest prayer and depending implicitly on divine truth. Israel's failures in Samuel's time warn that pride and self-reliance repeat the same mistakes, while God's work endures when divine power is joined with human effort by those who have the mind of Christ.
Leaning on one's own understanding means allowing an unsanctified will to rule, making self supreme, and following personal ideas, opinions, reason, judgment, imaginations, inclinations and will against God's specific requirements, which separates the soul from God. God's requirements may feel irksome to those who prefer unchecked self-indulgence, yet laying aside own will to follow implicitly God's will as little children who believe and accept by faith what He sets before them even when it does not commend itself to mind and judgment exposes and restrains wrong practices and plans. Persisting in one's own ideas and using one's own judgment as the standard after rejecting admonitions is dangerous and can keep a person from turning from sin, turning from worldly selfish policies being replaced by Christ's meekness and simplicity. Rejecting the counsel of God's servants to pursue one's own course leads to shipwreck of faith, while humility and harmony with God's plan are the safe alternative, and those who have left established truths to rely on their own judgment are morally and spiritually defective until cleansed through the blood of the Lamb. The sure result is disobedience that perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light and opens the mind to the tempter until one's will blends with Satan's will until he masters mind and judgment, as when Cain refused to shed the blood of a lamb because he could not understandingly accept it and brought a beautiful offering that left out the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God, and that neglect led to hatred of Abel and murder and curse.
Those entrusted with sacred responsibilities, publishing work, and teaching youth must not depend confidently on personal judgment, treat it as infallible, run ahead, insist on their own plans, or place fellow workers in partnership with God under human dictation and control. Keeping God in all thoughts, recognizing weakness and seeking strength and wisdom from above each day, guards against deception and neglect of duty, requiring setting aside pride, comparing ideas, considering improvements, learning from others and from Christ's meekness and lowliness, and working together in unity rather than treating disagreement or having one's own way as virtue. Teachers must humble their hearts under the weight of educating youth for immortal life, learning daily in the school of Christ, taking God's word as their personal lesson book as the voice of God, praying with earnestness as souls who feel their peril, so the atmosphere around the soul is changed and self-confidence and desire to be first are subdued. All human works are under the Lord's jurisdiction and knowledge is with the Most High, so assuming over others power God has not given repeats the spirit of Uzzah laying his hand on the ark as though God could not care for His sacred work, and God will judge those who assume such authority, not even muzzling the ox that treads out the grain but leaving God to rule.
Not leaning means refusing to walk in finite human wisdom or be guided by human opinions, and refusing to act as if at liberty to question, review, endorse, revise, reshape, misconstrue, misinterpret, bend, manipulate, break or judge God's plain decisions and statutes to please self and the multitude. Trusting with the whole heart means making God the guide and His Word the counselor, depending implicitly on divine truth, clinging to the pillars of faith, keeping all His commandments as the only safe way, and testing everything by the law and the testimony. Those who reject light and lean on their own understanding can become strongly deluded, accepting falsehood as truth and preferring distorted ideas to God's Word, though God gives enough evidence to decide without forcing faith or removing every possibility of doubt. Those who faithfully seek God in much prayer and diligently search the Scriptures day by day are led in the right way by His counsel, beholding the lamp of life with the Word as light to the feet guiding in straight paths under the Father of lights, while leaning to one's own understanding in perilous days brings only disappointment and sorrow like following sparks of one's own kindling. Seeking Him earnestly for wisdom in every plan gives Jesus as individual present help and sufficiency in every emergency who leads followers in sure safe paths, so truth acted out becomes a life-giving influence on the heart and the path of the just shines more and more unto the perfect day.
Receiving God's Guidance
Joined to the next verse, the promise is that acknowledging God in all ways brings His direction of the path. Full trust with the whole heart instead of reliance on limited human wisdom, with obedience to known duty and refusal to choose one's own way, is honored by God who directs those who cultivate such faith and trust. For those working for the salvation of souls this means relying fully on God's promises and accepting His guidance as that of a wise Counselor who never fails. It requires a humble view of self, doing all that can be done and then trusting God to work with the effort, and then humble men are made mighty in His service by divine assistance.
God directs at every step those who commit their ways to Him, seek His will in every action, and look to Him in every perplexity, difficulty and uncertainty. Trust must be wholehearted rather than reliance on one's own judgment, strength or wisdom, making God counselor and guide in all things and continually seeking His will as a source of strength. Believers are to commit the way to Him and depend on His guidance for each step even when the future is unclear, trusting Him for guidance in every place they go, learning from Him, following His leading and doing His work intelligently. His leading through difficulties along straight paths is what they would choose if they could see the outcome and purpose of their lives.
Trusting God means believing He loves and knows what is best, and choosing His way instead of relying on one's own understanding. Faith accepts His wisdom for ignorance, His strength for weakness, and His righteousness for sinfulness. When help is sought in faith and humility rather than imperfect human planning, He gives wisdom, knowledge, understanding, light, skill and strength for entrusted responsibilities and the work placed before His people. His sure word is the basis for that trust, and acknowledging Him in all ways brings His instruction and direction and makes the path plain, while in education and in every plan He must be recognized as the source of true wisdom and guide, with book knowledge joined to living faith and dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than human ability alone.
Guidance comes through making the Word the only guide, depending implicitly on the teachings of divine truth, clinging to the pillars of faith, and testing everything by the law and the testimony. Those who faithfully seek God in much prayer and diligently search the Scriptures day by day, study the Bible as the voice of God, and bring the case to the great Intercessor before the mercy seat instead of putting confidence in man, princes, speeches, cold advisers or human opinions, will be led in the right way and guided by His counsel in straight paths as a lamp to the feet under the direction of the Father of light. Such seeking is with a humble, believing heart in childlike simplicity and clinging faith, taking God at His Word and resting the case with Him, refusing to question, revise, reshape or judge His plain decisions to please self and the multitude but receiving faith from the living oracles. Every plan is to be spread before God with fasting and humbling of soul, with faith, hope and trust cultivated, with every ability used in sharp, calm, deep thinking, watching, waiting, patience and submission while casting all care upon Him rather than rushing ahead on favorable appearances, and then the committed way carries the sure promise that He who is infinite in resources and holds each individuality in keeping will direct the paths and open the way by providence. Remembered answers prove He hears, as when Jacob pleading on the plains of Peniel obtained a mighty victory and Moses pleading to see God's glory was heard. Keeping all His commandments is the only safe way to walk, with Jesus as individual present help and sufficiency in every emergency leading followers in sure, safe paths so that truth acted out becomes a life-giving influence.
As Counselor and present help in every time of need and in trouble, God opens the way, arranges matters so work can be done successfully, carries the whole burden of responsibility, and makes humble workers mighty so that divine power joined with human effort endures. In perplexity He is to be made counselor and guide in all things rather than leaning on human support or letting judgment be swayed by any human mind and counsel even when claimed to be sound. Living close to Jesus and consulting Him in all things with childlike simplicity gives strength to stand and flourish even when human support is removed, and for work requiring skillful management gives skill for soul as well as body with constant strength, wisdom and daily counsel to do great good and impart personal religion and peace to others. Those who so depend show humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer and caution in plans, possessing the mind of Christ and avoiding the proud self-reliance that caused Israel's failures in Samuel's time.
Humility and Surrender Required
Trust in the Lord with the whole heart requires humility, lowliness, teachableness, and continual dependence on God and His providence rather than on personal wisdom, judgment and prudence. Even those of great ability and God-given wisdom must deeply distrust self, for human capacity at best is limited, understands little of the operations of the natural heart or the mysteries of providence, and goes beyond its depth after only a very few steps trusting to self. True wisdom therefore has humility as its constant attendant, readily admitting failings and weaknesses and that one's own understanding may not be perfect, patiently listening to the advice and counsel of others, carefully weighing what bears the recommendation of age and experience and incorporating its force, while continuing perseveringly to learn as well as to teach. The young especially are to walk prayerfully and carefully, seeking the Lord's way at each step and using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do through them, with humility and no self-confidence or boasting. In every position and kind of work this humble recognition of need for help, reliance on God's word rather than one's own judgment, acknowledgment of His providence, and prayer brings wise guidance through life and keeps interests safe in this world and the next, while reliance on one's own wisdom brings sorrow, disappointment and certain failure; sincere seekers of truth and knowledge receive increased understanding, and workers for others become receptive to His counsel instead of failing.
Trust requires entire surrender of heart, will and affections, laying aside self-will and natural self-will for a childlike, teachable, submissive spirit that lets Christ lead and guide. It means following implicitly the dictates of God's will as little children who believe and accept by faith what God sets before them even when it cannot be understandingly accepted and does not commend itself to mind and judgment, recognizing Christ's authority by obeying Him. Complete submission to God's will and ways with deep distrust of one's own wisdom gives safety and would keep one from a dangerous course, for relying on one's own understanding leads into false paths. To trust is to place oneself wholly in His hands and rely on His love and wisdom rather than one's own judgment, submitting will and actions to His management, surrendering mind and will to Him to be led in the right way, and setting aside personal wishes to follow His direction. Leaning to one's own understanding is following own will, ideas, opinions, reason, judgment and imaginations against God's specific requirements and refusing counsel, as when Cain refused to shed the blood of a lamb because he could not understandingly accept the requirement and brought a beautiful offering that left out the only thing that gave it value, the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God whose blood shed to save a lost world was to be prefigured in every offering. The sure result of that course is disobedience that perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light, and opens the mind to the tempter, so that own will followed blends with Satan's will until he masters and controls mind and judgment and leads where men did not contemplate going, as Cain's neglect led to hatred of Abel and the Lord and to murder bringing curse, and God's words to Cain to do well by obeying and give no place to the devil stand to the close of earth's history.
Dependence does not excuse idleness but joins diligent effort with faith, holding a humble view of self, trusting fully in the promises of God, and then receiving direction from a wise Counselor who never fails, directs the paths, and makes humble men mighty in His service. Every jot of ability is to be used in sharp, calm, deep thinking rather than a listless, indolent, slothful attitude, every plan spread before God with fasting and humbling of soul, with faith and hope and trust cultivated instead of weak faith, carrying the sure promise that He who is infinite in resources, who calls the host of heaven by name and holds the stars in position and has each individuality in His keeping, will direct the paths. One is to exercise powers and take responsibility while dwelling not on self but on Jesus, forbidding both self-confidence and despondency, using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do, and acting with faith and energy. For ministers and workers this means moving out by faith, venturing and running risks to carry the work forward instead of moving too slowly and hugging the shore, working with energy and faith in deep waters to see results, doing all one can do and then trusting God to work with the effort. God's power thus joined with human effort makes the work endure, producing humility and meekness, less talking and more prayer, and caution in plans and actions.
Trust makes each person individually lean his whole weight on God as support, looking to Him and trusting in Him for light, wisdom and direction rather than depending on fellow workers, leaders, officers, human opinion or power for light and wisdom and direction. While heartily cooperating with brethren in carrying out general plans, laborers are constantly to look to the God of Israel for personal guidance, following personal conviction of duty instead of waiting at every step to ask an officer whether they may act or submitting to arbitrary human ordering. No one should lean a helpless soul on another person, rely on one person's counsel as guide, or make flesh his arm by measuring among themselves and comparing one with another to estimate importance, for God does not estimate by position or rank but by how much of the Spirit of the Master is cherished and how much of the likeness of Christ the work reveals, and he who listens most earnestly and intently for the voice of God loves the Lord the most. The Lord Himself must be wisdom, known individually as sanctification and redemption and as a present help in every time of need, and as General over all in every line of work, teaching each one directly what duty is and where to work. So the one who trusts is taught by God Himself whether to go or to stay and does not have to receive duty secondhand through a husband or any other human judgment, but seeks the Lord in prayer for direction, relies on God as strength, ability and director, and remains free to wait for God's direction rather than submit to human dictation.
Trust requires honoring the Holy Spirit by following where it leads and letting it use and mold after the divine Pattern, following where Christ leads as the safe path for the feet, rather than trusting one's own judgment, running ahead of Christ, or using the Holy Spirit by force and presumption that is not heaven born. This calls for heavenly wisdom and a rich daily experience in earnest, diligent, persistent prayer like the importunate widow, seeking God to give depth and solidity and to be rewarded, with caution in every utterance lest ardent temperament stir up a zeal not according to knowledge and mar God's work, for God's work done in His way will stand because whatever God says is truth. It means trusting wholly in God's wisdom and not leaning to one's own understanding, prayed for in the early morning while seeking wisdom and grace with thanksgiving for tender, loving compassion, asking God to guide the pen and direct speech so as not to sin against Him with voice or pen, and to teach His truth so as not to err from His way. It confesses that man is weakness itself and that God is strength, fortitude and courage to His people if they will diligently make Him their trust, rebuking faith as too small and crying for help for unbelief. Plans and decisions are thus to be brought humbly before God with faith and confidence in His guidance, and seeking God earnestly instead of pursuing speculation brings certainty and knowledge of duty.
Dangers of Self-Reliance
Dependence on self and finite wisdom brings certain failure, and leaning to human understanding in days of peril brings nothing but disappointment and sorrow, like following sparks of one's own kindling. Those who work for salvation of souls must hold a humble view of self and rely fully on God's promises, for then they are directed by a wise Counselor who directs the path and makes humble workers mighty, giving divine assistance to those who do all they can and then trust Him to work with their efforts. In every position and kind of work safety for this life and the life to come lies in humbly recognizing need of help, relying on God's Word rather than personal judgment, acknowledging His providence, praying earnestly, searching Scripture daily, and following His leading and instruction instead of human devising. Apart from His guidance and the Spirit's control, even the wisdom of those in influence becomes foolishness, and dependence on human wisdom does not honor Him nor push His enterprises forward on right lines, while trusting Him brings cooperation, success, light from the Sun of Righteousness, and leading afterward to glory. Relying on one's own understanding leads away from what is right and can end in deception and ruin, especially when duty conflicts with inclination and a pleasing course is persisted in rather than the course known to be right.
Resisting God's Spirit by persisting in one's own ideas and making personal judgment the standard is dangerous and can keep a person from turning from sin. Leaning to one's own understanding means following one's own will, ideas, opinions, reason, judgment, and imaginations against God's specific requirements and refusing counsel, even when what He sets before cannot be understandingly accepted or commend itself to mind and judgment. Cain illustrates this, for he could not understandingly accept the requirement to shed the blood of a lamb and brought a beautiful offering that left out the only thing giving it value, the slain lamb prefiguring the Lamb of God whose blood shed to save a lost world was to be shown in every offering. His neglect led to hatred of Abel and the Lord and to murder bringing a curse, showing how disobedience perpetuates sin, eclipses heavenly light, leads others to disregard light, and opens the mind until one's will blends with Satan's will so that he masters and controls mind and judgment and leads where men did not contemplate going. Rejecting light and truth and the counsel of God's servants to pursue one's own course can thus bring strong delusion in which falsehood is accepted as truth, shipwreck of faith, and moral and spiritual defect that is not changed by closing the eyes to it, for God gives enough evidence to decide yet does not force faith nor remove every possibility of doubt, and the remedy is cleansing through the blood of the Lamb with humility and harmony with His plan. The word to Cain to do well by obeying and give no place to the devil is to be repeated to the close of earth's history.
No ability, integrity, position, prosperity, or past service makes self-trust safe. Praise can exalt a person and cause loss of balance, so ability and human judgment must never become a source of self-confidence, and people in positions of influence and responsibility especially must depend on God to teach and guide at every step lest judgment become distorted and they fall. Israel's failures in Samuel's time warn that God's people will repeat those mistakes if proud and self-reliant, showing trust by humility, a meek spirit, less talking, more prayer, and caution in plans and actions, with divine power joined to human effort revealing the mind of Christ. Assuming over fellow workers in partnership with God a dictating control that God has not given repeats the spirit of Uzzah laying his hand on the ark as though He could not care for His sacred work, for all human works are under the Lord's jurisdiction and knowledge is with the Most High, and those in responsible positions must not treat their own judgment as infallible nor muzzle the ox that treads out the grain but leave God to rule, under pain of His judgment.
Walking by one's own understanding instead of walking with God hinders His work. Those who rely on their own judgment and are wise only in their own eyes consume rather than produce and tear down rather than build up, obstructing the work by human ideas and needing conversion lest He turn His face from them. For men in responsible positions, especially in the publishing work arranged and established under His special supervision, trusting to perverted wisdom means planning to carry out special ideas and molding and fashioning things by personal judgment, which establishes an order contrary to the light of His Word and brings results unfavorable to the advancement of His cause, so it is unsafe to allow such men to control decisions until hearts are softened and broken by Him. Trust in God should therefore take the place of independent action, by seeking counsel from fellow believers and working in harmony with them under His supervision and controlling influence.
Relying on human judgment instead of trusting the Lord leaves the soul in danger when it turns from God, not abiding in Christ and not riveted to the eternal Rock. It leads away from practical godliness and leaves a person without hope of heaven or a relationship with God. When God tests and proves His people and everything that can be shaken is shaken, only those who trust Him stand, while those whose faith has been grounded in man and who rely on their own understanding are subject to change and departure, and the call is to dependence on Him while examining motives and seeking assurance of His love.
Trust in Daily Living
For missionary and soul-winning work, education, and ministry, the verse requires relying fully on divine promises and the Holy Spirit rather than on finite wisdom, book knowledge, or human ability alone. Dependence on self in that work brings certain failure, while humble wholehearted trust brings direction as from a wise Counselor who never fails those who do all they can and then trust Him to work with their efforts. Those who acknowledge Him in all their ways receive increased understanding, and sincere seekers of truth and knowledge are given wisdom and help to do His work carefully and faithfully at every step.
In planning and decisions about business, contracts, alliances, appointments, schools, sanitariums, publishing, and marriage, plans are to be spread before God, counsel sought in prayer, and His directions followed instead of human devising. Dependence on human wisdom and insistence on one's own plans brings failure and does not honor God, while following His instruction brings His cooperation and success along right lines. In publishing this means setting aside pride, learning from others and from Christ's meekness and lowliness, comparing ideas, considering improvements, and working together in unity rather than treating disagreement or having one's own way as a virtue. In marriage it means not trusting one's own judgment as sufficient but considering the matter carefully and prayerfully instead of insisting on personal wishes and inclinations, since acting as though one fully understands without God's wisdom can lead to painful mistakes. In school work and general affairs it means committing personal plans to God, studying His will, being patient, submissive, and willing to wait for providence to open the way instead of rushing ahead on favorable appearances, seeking heavenly wisdom through much prayer while casting all care upon Him even when means are lacking and a desired opportunity must be delayed.
In trouble, perplexity, danger, sickness, and unclear futures, trust means committing the way to God rather than relying on one's own understanding or choosing one's own way, obeying known duty, looking to His will in every action, and turning to Him in every uncertainty. He is to be made counselor and guide in all things, and those who cultivate such faith and trust are honored by Him and find confidence in Him a source of strength. This includes leaning wholly on Him through trials and receiving His lessons in humility and weakness, going forward even with a sick child and trusting providence as with Haskell in New York City, believing He works for present and eternal good while waiting patiently for Him to open the way. In trials and persecution He reveals human weakness and His own strength, drawing His children near, testing faith, building spiritual strength, preparing them to meet emergencies, to serve in positions of trust, and to fulfill their purpose.
In daily life this trust belongs in the home through regular family prayer that keeps the household under His guidance, since neglecting that duty leaves people to their own wisdom. For youth choosing their course it means depending fully on the Lord rather than trusting their own judgment, because they may not know their own weaknesses or what lies ahead and are not free to choose without consulting their Creator's will. It is walking prayerfully and carefully, seeking the Lord's way and looking to Him for wisdom and guidance at every step, using abilities and opportunities while relying on what God can do through them, with true wisdom marked by humility rather than self-confidence or boasting. It also means doing the best one can and trusting when means are lacking, acknowledging the Lord in all ways so that He directs the paths in unquestioned obedience, using entrusted talents for the good of others and for praise and thanksgiving, strengthening weak hands and feeble knees, and leaving to God what cannot be cured and is not known how to manage without making oneself a sin-bearer, judge of character, or planner of duties for others.
Such trust keeps one under God's supervision in practical duties such as a mother's care, business, study, preparation for ministry, and household arrangements, with Him made counselor so that press of business and study does not turn one aside from usefulness or retard advancement in the divine life. Wholehearted trust brings safe guidance through the future because the One who cares even for the sparrow cares for the person and holds the future in His hand, turning from sad and discouraging things in the past, taking hold of His salvation, engaging heartily in His work, and bringing blessing to person and family while sparing health and mind from injury. He subjects His people to trial to teach entire dependence, and through trial of faith spiritual strength is gained; rightly received experiences in humility and weakness prepare for work done in His name, reveal His power in a marked manner, and require sharing in Christ's sufferings in order to share in His glory. Walking humbly with God in believing dependence rather than craven fear, making the Lord the trust and crown of rejoicing, being often in prayer for mercy, and walking in His way gives secure walking even when stringent laws require leaving cities for land, raising one's own produce, and being prepared for emergency.
Trusting with the whole heart enabled one man to help and uplift the Wessels family instead of being hindered by personal judgment. It required Dr. Rand to lean firmly on Jesus Christ rather than rely on Dr. Kellogg or on human counsel. Those who live in vital connection with God by trusting Him with the whole heart receive understanding and knowledge from God Himself as wisdom, stand firm as a rock to principle without compromise with surrounding idolatry, and become representatives of God to the world as Joseph was in Egypt and as Daniel and his fellows were in Babylon, carrying truth to heathen nations and making known the distinguishing characteristics of worshippers of the Creator. Youth who honor the Lord in this way are honored by Him, and every institution bearing the name Seventh-day Adventist is to fulfill this same calling. God, who knows the future and holds each individuality in His keeping, infinite in resources, is to be trusted to plan life and shape destiny rather than letting human agencies mark out years in advance or letting flattering prospects of greatness and ambition rule. Safety lies in giving self to God unreservedly every day, refusing unsanctified impulses, spreading every plan before Him with fasting and humbling of soul, cultivating faith and hope and trust, using every jot of ability in sharp, calm, deep thinking rather than listlessness, and letting Providence shape the future as ways committed to Him carry the sure promise that He will direct the paths.