October 14, 2025
Everyday Wisdom: Learning to Trust God's Guidance
Life can feel disorienting at times. The decisions we face, the pressures we experience, and the uncertainties we encounter can leave us feeling lost, much like a pilot flying through clouds who can no longer see the horizon. Just as pilots must trust their instruments when visibility is poor, we need to learn to trust God's guidance when life becomes unclear.
What Does It Mean to Live by God's Wisdom?
Wisdom isn't about gathering information in a classroom - it starts with a relationship with Jesus. The Hebrew word for wisdom, "Hokma," means skill for living. It's the art of aligning your head, heart, and hands with God's will. True wisdom isn't just knowing what's right; it's living it out daily in your choices and relationships.
Solomon reminds us that wisdom is learning to fly by God's instruments - His word, His truth, and His Spirit. When everything around us feels cloudy and uncertain, these divine instruments point us toward Jesus, who didn't just give us wisdom but became wisdom for us.
How Do We Commit to God's Way?
The foundation of wisdom begins with a simple but profound truth from Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
The Hebrew word for trust, "Bachtach," means to put your full weight on something. It's like doing a trust fall - you're completely dependent on the other person to catch you. God wants us to put our full weight on Him, not on our own instincts, experiences, or plans.
What Does Trusting God Look Like Practically?
Trusting God means inviting Him into everything - not just church on Sunday, but your entire week, your work, and your relationships. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He promises to make our paths straight. This doesn't mean easy or perfect, but it means guided.
Think of hiking a mountain trail. You can't see the entire route from the base, but you have mile markers and directional arrows showing you the way. Similarly, you might not be able to see your whole life's path, but God provides mile markers through His word and His people to guide you step by step.
How Do We Conform to God's Will?
The Danger of Being Wise in Our Own Eyes
Proverbs 3:7 warns us: "Be not wise in your own eyes." We all like to think we're wise based on our experiences and successes, but real wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord - not terror, but deep awe and respect that leads us to listen rather than argue.
When we fear the Lord, we stop trying to be the hero of our own story and let God take that role. This humility brings healing to our flesh and refreshment to our bones. Anxiety decreases when trust increases.
What About Our Finances?
Solomon gets practical about wisdom by addressing our money: "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce." This means putting God first not just in theory, but in your budget.
The Israelites gave their first fruits - the best portion of their crops, not the leftovers. Today, this looks like giving God our first and best when we receive our paycheck. When we do this, it trains our hearts to depend on Him instead of our paychecks or plans. Giving isn't just generosity; it's worship.
How Should We View God's Discipline?
God's discipline isn't payback - it's preparation. He's shaping us into people who reflect His character. Like a potter working with clay, God's hands are firm but loving, pressing and reshaping us, sometimes even breaking us down when we're off center to rebuild us stronger.
Why Should We Celebrate God's Worth?
Solomon shifts from commands to celebration in Proverbs 3:13: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom." True joy isn't found in success or wealth - it's found in walking with God.
How Does Wisdom Compare to Material Wealth?
Silver, gold, and jewels are valuable, but wisdom connects you to the One who never runs out of those things. Wealth can improve your lifestyle, but wisdom improves your life. The rewards of wisdom are pleasantness and peace - the Hebrew word "Shalom," meaning wholeness with nothing missing and nothing broken.
What is the Tree of Life?
Solomon describes wisdom as "a tree of life to those who lay hold of her." From Eden's lost tree in Genesis to the tree of healing in Revelation, Scripture points to this truth: living by God's wisdom is like tasting eternal life - a preview of Heaven's peace on earth.
Growth takes time, but wisdom grows best in the soil of trust. To celebrate God's worth means reordering what you value, treating His word as treasure rather than a task, and valuing wisdom over wealth.
Who is True Wisdom?
Wisdom isn't just a concept - it's a person. In the New Testament, Jesus is called the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). He's the true tree of life who hung on a tree of death so that we could live. When you celebrate His worth, you're not celebrating an idea but a Savior who loves you.
Life Application
This week, choose one decision you're currently facing and commit to applying Proverbs 3:5-6 to it. Write it down and pray these verses over it daily. Before making any moves, acknowledge God first through prayer and Scripture study. Trust His timing even when it's slower than you expected.
Consider these questions as you apply this wisdom to your life:
• Where are you tempted to lean on your own understanding instead of trusting God?
• What would it look like to give God your "first fruits" in your current situation?
• How is God trying to shape you through current challenges, and are you resisting His formation?
• What needs to be reordered in your life so that pursuing God's wisdom takes first place?
Remember, wisdom isn't just a Sunday thing - it's a Monday through Saturday way of life. Step by step, mile marker by mile marker, walk with Jesus as your guide.