Intimacy and Spiritual Breakthrough

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone—not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than we are!

I’ve had to learn (sometimes the hard way) to trust Him completely in every choice I make. That does not mean to omit careful thinking; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes but be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counselors. By bringing our decisions to God in prayer; using the Bible as our guide; and then follow God’s leading. He will direct our paths by both guiding and protecting us.

Two words in this passage are especially significant—the words “ways” and “acknowledge.” The word “ways” (Hebrew derek) means “a road, a course, or a mode of action.” It suggests specific opportunities a person may encounter on a recurring basis. The most common “segment of opportunity” we experience regularly is each new day. It is as if this passage suggests that in all our “days” we should acknowledge God, and in so doing He will direct our paths. Of equal significance is the word “acknowledge” (Hebrew yada‘). Elsewhere yada‘ is translated “know,” meaning to know by observation, investigation, reflection, or firsthand experience. But the highest level of yada‘ is in “direct, intimate contact.” This refers to life-giving intimacy, as in marriage. Applied to a spiritual context, it suggests an intimacy with God in prayer that conceives and births blessings and victories. Joined to our Prov. text, we might conclude that if in all our “days” we maintain yada‘ (direct, intimate contact with God), God promises to direct our paths toward fruitful, life-begetting endeavors.

Being devoted to God involves giving daily of ourselves, our possessions, our thoughts, our heart, and our decisions to the Lord. It implies a continuous intimate relationship with God—of knowing and being known by Him. Acknowledge Him in all that we do, and He will make a clear way before us.