#1296. Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart (30/6/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional where we are continuing in our Wisdom for Life series from Proverbs.

Today, from Proverbs 3:5-6, we learn that wisdom listens to God regarding the paths they take in life.  

To watch this devotional, please select the link below. 

i. What does it mean to lean on your own understanding? 

The word ‘trust’ (batakh) means to place your confidence in something or someone. Similarly, ‘lean’ (shaan) carries the sense of relying on or supporting yourself upon something. Together, these words picture a person drawing strength and security from something other than God and His wisdom. ‘Understanding’ (binah) refers to discernment — in this case, relying on one’s own wisdom and perspective.

When we lean on our own understanding, we become self-confident rather than God-confident. We begin to judge God’s word by our own standards instead of letting it shape, challenge, and correct us. We become our own source of wisdom and guidance, rather than looking to God’s word as the true map for life. This is a sobering warning to us all — because by nature, we’re all tempted to trust in ourselves first.

ii. What does it mean to trust in God with all of our heart? 

The alternative to prideful self-reliance is this call:‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him…’

Trusting God with all our heart isn’t mainly about feelings or having a spiritual high. It’s about submission — choosing to obey God’s Word, letting His wisdom lead, and placing our full confidence in Him. That’s what real trust looks like.

The ESV Study Bible helpfully puts it this way:

Every day, we’re faced with a choice between two paths: one is self-confidence and self-reliance, the other is trust and obedience to God. It’s not our admiration of the second path that matters — it’s whether we walk on it. Faith is revealed by our obedience.

iii. He will make your paths straight 

This is a wonderful promise for those who choose ‘God-confidence’. Firstly, this is a promise that those who lean on God’s truth— study and digest it— will have knowledge of his ‘straight’ (correct and wise) paths. Secondly, it’s a promise of becoming a ‘straight-path’ person— living a righteous life— which is success! Finally, this is a promise of God’s blessing on those who choose His paths—life goes better for those with whom God is pleased!

Let’s pray together 

“Father, I praise you that you give us good ways in which you want us to find joy and success. Forgive me when I have been self-confident and leant on my own understanding. Today, I choose to say let your ways be my ways. Amen.”

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

For your diary: Our next weekend away will be 19th-21st June 2026!!

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

Week #4: Proverbs 3:5-15. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

1. What themes stand out in this week’s section? Identify key ideas and repeated patterns. What is the focus of this section?

2. What promises does God offer, and what warnings does He give? Look for specific encouragements, blessings, or cautions in the text.

3. How does this speak into our lives today? What are the practical ways we could live this out — individually, in our families, in our community?

4. How is God calling you to respond? Consider what this means for your heart, your choices, and your direction.

5. SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How might the wisdom in this week's section of Proverbs help us to be a light for Jesus?

• Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

  
  

6. Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the 'people of peace' in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.