“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
-Proverbs 3:6
This verse is a part of a longer section of Proverbs encouraging the reader to trust and honor God. This piece of wisdom teaches us that if we fully acknowledge God, our journey through life is more likely to go smoothly.
Notice the caveats in what I just said.
The first was “piece of wisdom.” Too many people take the Proverbs as promises. Proverbs are short sayings that express common truths; they are not promises directly from God to us. There is no promise from God that if we acknowledge Him, our life will be easy. Many times it won’t be. A general truth is that acknowledging and trusting Him leads to a superior quality of life, even through trials.
The second caveat was “fully acknowledge.” There is no blessing for “lip service”. There is no virtue in going to church on Sunday and living a life inconsistent with the character of God the rest of the week. There is no meaningful reward when we claim with our mouth that we love God but live a life that demonstrates love only for self.
The last caveat was “more likely.” Yes, I am going to repeat my first caveat. The Proverbs are not promises. I have seen the belief that this is a book of promises cause so much pain for people.
Proverbs is a beautiful book. It teaches powerful truths. But it is not always an easy book, and it certainly isn’t a book that assures prosperity if we follow God. The truths of Proverbs make our lives better largely because they form our character and passions to be more like God’s. This leads to an improved life no matter the particular circumstances in which we live.
If we are blessed, or maybe cursed, with ease and wealth, we will have the character to live that life graciously. If we are cursed, or maybe blessed, with a life of trials, we will have the character to live that life graciously.
A Quote to Consider
“So this is how liberty dies… with thunderous applause.”
-Padmé (Star Wars Episode III)
Star Wars is one of the great mythologies of our culture. It tells the story of blessing, fall, and redemption, not just for an individual but for several individuals, and even an entire galaxy far, far away from here.
What makes the franchise powerful is that it leans into timeless truths. One of those, one that cuts particularly deeply for me, is found in this quote about the death of liberty.
We tend to think of nations and cultures being conquered. We think of greatness being taken away or replaced. We fear the intrusion of an outside force.
But it is often more likely that a great power, like the Galactic Republic in Star Wars, is conquered from within.
The above quote comes from a moment in the story when the culture was prosperous and powerful, but it had also grown complacent, and malevolent forces had begun sowing fear.
The government of this powerful, wealthy republic gleefully chose to give up their liberty for what they thought was security.
In the end, though, without liberty there was no security.
The applause that announced the forfeiture of their liberty also announced the end of their security, their peace, and their prosperity.
Star Wars may be fiction, but at least here it points to a truth worth remembering.
Prayer
Lord,
Teach us to trust You in all circumstances, whether in prosperity or hardship. Shape our character to reflect Your goodness, and give us the wisdom to recognize when fear and complacency threaten the freedoms we cherish.
Amen
About Post Author
