Acknowledge The Lord
Hi friends! Today’s blog post is centered around the verse Proverbs 3:6. We are going to talk about the significance of one word in this verse and how we can relate it to our lives when it comes to making decisions. Let’s get into it!
I am a devout NIV translation user when it comes to Scripture. It has been my favorite and the one that has resonated with me the most for years and years. However, there are a few certain verses that resonate with me more in another translation. Proverbs 3:6 is one of those verses. For this verse I like to use the New American Standard Version or the ESV version because of one word. This verse says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” The other translations say things like “seek His will” or “seek the Lord”, but I love this translation because of the word “acknowledge.” Something I love to do is look up the dictionary definitions of words, because it is important to me that I have the most common meaning of them in the back on my mind while I am studying Scripture. “Acknowledge” has two different definitions:
“Accept or admit the existence or truth of”
(when referring to an opinion) “recognize the fact or importance or quality of”
Today, we are going to be talking about this verse in the context of decision making. I have had my fair share of confusing circumstances for which I have not had a clear answer to right away. I know what it is like to have your path be all jumbled and crooked, and, chances are, you have, too. Decision making can be so difficult. We try to look at our options and follow each of them to the end, trying to visualize where they will ultimately take us. And most of the time, there are roadblocks, things we can’t see past or think up our way around. Another common part of the decision making process is seeking advice from those around us. We talk to close friends and family members and see what they would do if they were in our shoes. However, it is almost a guarantee that the advice will never be unanimous from all the people you ask. Your parents might say to go one way, while your best friend says the other is best for you. And then what?! We are left even more confused than we were when we kept it to ourselves! Where do we turn to now? Well, my friend, that brings us right back to Proverbs 3:6, and the word acknowledge. The first definition I listed of this word was that it meant to recognize the existence of a thing. We’ve got that one down. We recognize that God exists and that he is Lord of lords and King of kings (if you are still having some trouble with this, hop on over to my “start here” page for some encouragement!). Now, let’s move on to the second definition. I want to restate it again because it is so important. It says that acknowledge means to “recognize the fact or importance or quality of [an opinion]”. When you are stuck in a confusing cycle of visualizing futures and seeking advice when trying to make a decision, this is where you are to turn next. We are to acknowledge the Word of God. We are to recognize the fact, importance, and significance of what the Lord has to say. That means that we are to come to Him in prayer and ask Him what He wills us to do and what decision He wills us to make. I love Proverbs 3:6 because it is not just an urging to pray, but it ends with a promise of what will happen when we do: the Lord will make our paths straight. The paths that you are trying to envision for each option you are presented with will no longer be crooked and hard to see down, but they will be made straight. You will be able to see clearly which road is the one for you to take. My challenge for you today is to seek God first when you are trying to make a decision. Acknowledge that His Word has significance and takes precedent over every other piece of advice from those in your life. And here is why: people can give bad advice. People can give very wrong advice that does not steer you down the correct path. People’s advice has much potential to fail. But the Word of the Lord never returns back void (Isaiah 55:11).
Lord, thank you. Thank you that you promise to make all my paths straight when I choose to acknowledge that your Word has power and significance in my life. I pray that you would help me to seek you before all else. Forgive me for the times that I have turned to you as a last resort, rather than a first choice. I acknowledge you, today, Lord, and I pray that you would lead, guide, and direct me down the right path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
