“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV).

This saying from the book of Proverbs is a well-known and oft-quoted Bible memory verse.

Most teaching and preaching focuses on verse 5 about trusting in the Lord rather than one’s self.

But, what’s most interesting to me is the straight paths metaphor presented in verse 6.

The ancient Hebrews were a nomadic people and it was important to travel the same paths to pastures and campsites. If these straight paths were not followed, one could get lost in the desert or wilderness.

So, if in all your ways you acknowledge the Lord, that is,  if you surrender your will to God’s will in every realm of life because He is all-knowing and all-loving, then He will make the path of your life lead straight to its intended destination and you will not get lost and wander around looking for the right way.

And then when you add  verse 5 into the equation, not only will God make your paths straight so you don’t get lost along the way, He will actually lead you along the straight path if you trust in Him.

But, God’s promise to make your path straight does not mean that you will not encounter difficulties along the way.

God’s promise is to guide you and sustain you through all difficulties along the straight path of life, not to remove difficulties from your path.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  (John 16:13, ESV)