And He shall direct your paths.

The above title, "And He shall direct your paths", is a promise and application given to us by the Lord concerning what He will do in our lives.......Again, it's a promise that comes on the heels of His instruction about what we ought to do, and what He would have us to do, and what He calls us to do.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 In all of your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

So, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart".......that's the first thing that is said.....Trust here or faith in God, means, to have confidence in, to feel safe. With all of your heart means we can completely trust in Him, and not feel hesitant or unsure, we can trust Him completely.

Secondly, "And lean not on your own understanding" Seems to further explain what it is to trust in the Lord.....it's the opposite of having confidence in ourselves, or in our abilities, but to lean on Him, not ourselves.

"In all of your ways acknowledge Him" Ways, speaks of our path, the road we are on, our path etc, to acknowledge or know Him, to stay close to the Lord as we move along in our lives.

"And He shall direct your paths".....is not so much speaking about guidance as it is about making the way clear for us to travel on. Direct means to make level, to make smooth..In other words, the Lord promises to those who trust Him, that He will smooth out the road we are on, He will make it easier to move forward, He will help us travel the path He has called us to.

What a promise......Thank You Lord. We know that You will do Your part, it's our part we need help with. As You look to and fro about the earth, please look upon us as those who want to trust You, and want to know You. Help Us Lord.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application and promises.

1. The Lord knows what's on our road right now.

2. The Lord is inviting us to trust Him, and know Him.

3. The Lord has never let anyone down who has trusted Him.

4. The Lord has power that we cannot imagine.

5. The Lord has plans for us, that we don't know about either.

6. The Lord never changes, and is the same today as He always has been.

Blessings that the Lord gives us .....through His Word

Proverbs chapter 2 explains in many verses what the Lord gives to those who receive and treasure His word in their hearts and lives.

Here is a short list ....

He gives us wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright:

He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.

He guards the paths of justice,

And preserves the way of His saints.

Discretion will preserve you.

Understanding will keep you.

To deliver you from the way of evil.

From the man who speaks perverse things.

Let's focus on two of them in particular. Discretion and Understanding.

Discretion is to have purpose. And understanding is, to have insight, the act of understanding. So, the Lord will give us purpose, and He will give us insight. And through these blessings we are preserved and kept.

These are tremendous and wonderful blessings from the Lord. To have the best purpose we can have in life, that would be the purpose that comes from God, and to have God's insight about how to live in this life and world. There is no greater insight, or understanding then what the Lord gives.

These blessings ( as mentioned ) come to those who abide in God's Word, who receive God's Word, who treasure God's Word, who apply their hearts to God's Word. Who cry out for discernment. Who lift up their voice for understanding. Who seek wisdom as they would seek silver, and search for wisdom as you would for hidden treasure.

So, as we move into this weekend, may we thank God for what He does give, and may we be those who would seek after Him through His Word.

Father, everyday we have so many things to thank You for. We would like to say thank You today for Discretion and Understanding. Your purpose and Your insight. Guide our thinking today, and through this weekend to be diligent in seeking You, and searching for You in Your Word. Would you bring Your word to our minds today. Bless our pastors as they prepare to teach us the Word of God this coming Sunday. In Jesus name,

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Applicational thoughts and promises.

1. His Word is available to us.

2. The Holy Spirit will speak to us through God's Word

3. Let's have ears to hear what the Lord will say to us.

4. May we hear and then be doers of His Word today.

5. Can we share His Word with someone else today.

6. Let His Word be the start of our responding to Him in prayer.

7. His Word is what brings forth fruit in our lives.

8. May His purpose and His insight become ours today.