Do You Trust God?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in a lesson titled “He Shall Direct Thy Paths.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

You might think of the book of Proverbs as a collection of wise counsel from loving parents (see Proverbs 1:8). Its main message is that if you seek wisdom – especially God’s wisdom – life will go well. But Proverbs is followed by the book of Ecclesiastes, which seems to say, “It’s not that simple.” The Preacher quoted in Ecclesiastes observed that he “gave [his] heart to know wisdom” but still found “vexation of spirit” and “much grief” (Ecclesiasts1:17-18). In various ways, the book asks, “Can there be real meaning in a world where everything seems vain, temporary, and uncertain?”

And yet, while the two books look at life from different perspectives, they teach similar truths. Ecclesiastes declares: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This is the same  principle found throughout Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” (Proverbs 3:5; see also verse 7). Life is always better – if not always perfect – when we trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

The scripture block teaches numerous principles, including the following: (1) “Incline thine ear unto wisdom” (Proverbs 1-4; 15-16; Ecclesiastes 1-3; 11-12). (2) “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7; 2:5; 3:7; 15:33; 16:6; 31:30; Ecclesiastes 12:13). (3) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” (Proverbs 3:5-7; 4). (4) “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15; 16:24-32). (5) “A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:10-31). (6) Mortal life is temporary (Ecclesiastes 1-3; 12).

This essay will discuss principle #3 about trusting God. The applicable verses are Proverbs 3:5-7, so we will look at them first.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Sometimes it is difficult to put our trust in God. Elder Gerrit W. Gong shares helpful counsel in learning to trust God in his conference talk titled “Trust Again” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 97–99). Trust Again

Trust is an act of faith. God keeps faith with us….

As we reflect on trust, we know God is a God of truth and “canst not lie.” We know truth is a knowledge of things as they are, were, and are to come. We know continuing revelation and inspiration fit unchanging truth to changing circumstances….

Trust becomes real when we do hard things with faith. Service and sacrifice increase capacity and refine hearts. Trust in God and each other brings heaven’s blessings….

Trust what the scriptures call “in process of time.” With God’s blessing, process of time, and continuing faith and obedience, we can find resolution and peace….

Trust God and His miracles. We and our relationships can change. Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, we can put off our selfish natural self and become a child of God, meek, humble, full of faith and appropriate trust. When we repent, when we confess and forsake our sins, the Lord says He remembers them no more. It is not that He forgets; rather, in a remarkable way, it seems He chooses not to remember them, nor need we.

Trust God’s inspiration to discern wisely. We can forgive others in the right time and way, as the Lord says we must, while being “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”