“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 your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:1-12, NASB)

Today’s reading contains one of my favorite verses in the Bible. When I first became a believer, I was introduced to these amazing words, and I have been trying to live by them ever since. It says,

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 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 your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.”

My favorite verses are verses 5-6, where it 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 your paths straight.” I love these words, as they provide command and promise. We are commanded to place our trust in God rather than relying solely on our own judgment, and to involve Him through prayer. If we do, God promises to guide us on the right path. Don’t you just love this verse? The New Testament has similar words: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:6-7, 19). If I can sum it up, it would be: “Trust God, and He will not let you down.

In these twelve verses of today’s reading, we can see the interaction between command and promise. For example, it says, “Let your heart keep my commandments,” and it promises, “Length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.” It goes on. Keep God’s command nearby in your neck and heart, and you will find favor in His eyes. Fear God and turn from evil, and it will be healing to your body. Honor God with the first of your produce, and God will bless your storehouse overflowingly. Do you see the connection between obeying God’s commands and experiencing His promises?

Verses 11-12 explain the reason for such interaction: we are in a loving relationship with God, like a father and his son. God loves us like His children, and disciplines us when we are not walking in the right way. When we receive his discipline and walk in His way, He will love and bless us in the way a loving father would his children. Jesus said a similar thing when he said, “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Mt.7:9-11, NLT). Trusting and acknowledging God means believing in a father-son relationship with Him. By listening to His guidance, you can be confident He will support you and lead you to live a fruitful, successful, and pleasing life to Him.

• Of the combinations of command and promise in this passage, which do you like the most?
• As a child of God, what is your proper response to “discipline of the Lord” today?