Don't and Do's

Scripture:
My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;
for they will bring you
many days, a full life, and well-being.
Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.
Don’t consider yourself to be wise;
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:1-7

Observation: As the proverbs begin in earnest, the first instruction is about listening to God, obeying his teaching, and trusting in his wisdom. The positive actions are to "keep" the commands, "write" them down, "trust" in the Lord, "think" about him, "fear" the Lord, and "turn" from evil.

However, there are also a series of "don't" commands. We are not to ... forget the teaching, let loyalty and faithfulness leave us, rely on our own understanding, or consider ourselves wise. In other words, faith and trust in God is not additive to our own capabilities and wisdom, but rather a replacement for self-reliance and self-trust. One cannot simply do as God commands, but must also cease from following ones own thoughts, desires, and counsel.

Application: This is how I fail! I gladly seek God's wisdom and guidance, but regularly also look to solve problems on my own, with my experience and intelligence and knowledge. When I do this, it means I have not created the room in my life truly necessary to trust and obey God. I am not making him Lord, but adviser. I am not giving him authority over my life, but allowing him input only.

I need to set aside my own counsel. The Lord cannot be the person helping me make decisions ... he must be the one I trust to make the decisions for me.

Prayer: Lord, I seek surrender to you, in the big and little parts of my life. May I lean into your perfect will, wisdom, and teaching. I will learn to not consider myself wise. Please guide me in all your ways, but especially as I stop trying to find my own way. Amen.