The watchword for the hour is trust. The word translated "trust" in Proverbs 3:5-6 means "to lean with the full body," "to lay upon," "to rest the full weight upon." Our passage reveals three ways to trust in the Lord.

First, trust in the Lord exclusively. Proverbs 3:5 reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding." Notice it does not say trust your heart. We are warned in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Dwight L. Moody said, "Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment. Trust in your friends and they will die and leave you. Trust in money and you may have it taken from you. Trust in your reputation and some slanderous tongue may blast it. But trust in God and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity." You can trust the Lord exclusively, because He knows everything and can do anything.

Second, trust in the Lord exactingly. Proverbs 3:6a reads, "In all your ways acknowledge Him..." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "exactingly" means "in a way that demands or involves a lot of effort, care, or attention." To trust in the Lord exactingly involves a yearning for the Lord's control and a yielding to the Lord's control. In hard ways, in easy ways, in big ways, in small ways, in all ways trust in the Lord! This is trusting God in all the details of life. It involves the abandonment of your way and the acknowledgement of His way. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Third, trust in the Lord expectantly. Proverbs 3:6b reads, "And He shall direct your paths." Isaiah 26:7 reads, "The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just." The word translated "weigh" means "to make level." The Lord removes obstacles for those who trust in Him. Isaiah 49:11 reads, "I will make each of My mountains a road, And My highways shall be elevated." This speaks of God's power to remove obstructions from your pathway. Not only is there a leveling process but there is also a leading process. The Lord reveals objectives to those who trust in Him. Isaiah 30:21 reads, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left."

A. W. Tozer explains, "What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day. For each of us the time is coming when we shall have nothing but God." Trust in the Lord exclusively, exactingly, expectantly. To trust in the Lord is the watchword for the hour.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.