Trust and the heart

Yesterday, I posted about asking God to speak to me directly from His Word.  I use the pattern of Samuel when he said, "Speak, for your servant is listening" from 1 Samuel 3:1-10. Here is the passage God put on my heart on Thursday from Proverbs 3:1-12

3 My son,do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

^{A few ways this passage spoke to me today:}

• ^{I need to trust God in several areas of my life right now (selling Iola house, Wednesday night ministry needs/transitions, specific ministry needs of those around me)}
• ^{I was drawn to the fact that when I think about trusting I usually immediately think head, but this passage focuses on the heart several times (vs. 1,3,5)}
• ^{Trust & obedience are closely linked to each other}
• ^{Our trust is not based on fear of God, but instead on "love & faithfulness"}
• ^{Following God is not a hindrance in our lives, but leads us toward what is best for us in our decisions, finances, discipline, & peace.}