Trusting in the Lord in Proverbs 3 in the Face of Sudden Terror

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4

The steadfast love of the Lord has been a major theme throughout my journey following loss. His faithfulness has been evident, I have sought to embrace these truths, and I have found favor. I cannot overstate this faith-not-sight discipline. As Edward Mote wrote in “The Solid Rock,” “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” Sight simply cannot be believed.

Therefore, let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you.

“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

Trust is another of the major themes of my grief journey. I learned so much about lament, especially from Mark Vroegop in Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy—turn, complain, ask, and trust. The key, of course, is trust. It speaks to belief. It speaks to posture. It speaks to context. An important aspect to this kind of trust is the turning away from our own understanding.

“How we react to what God does reveals whether we have a man-centered view of the world or a God-centered view. It shows whether we think God exists for our purposes, or we exist for God’s purposes.” Erik Reed, Uncommon Trust: Learning to Trust God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Then and only then are we liberated to acknowledge him in all our ways. Trust is the key. And on that simple decision—to trust the Lord with our heart—he makes all our paths straight.

“Be not wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7

If this issue of trust is a battle for you, Solomon gets specific with you. He cautions you against your tendency to trust yourself. He cautions you not to be wise in your own eyes. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Again, in grief you’re in a vulnerable moment, and you need to be vigilant.

“My son, do not despise the Lord‘s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12

I recall the moments when I took account of my own life on numerous occasions. I realized facing loss was a time to “lay it to heart” as we are told in Ecclesiastes 7:2. The Lord disciplines us, and we need to learn the lessons. We must not despise or be weary of his reproof. Instead, we welcome this discipline for what it is—a gift of love from our Father.

“My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion…Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” Proverbs 3:21,23

I love the wisdom throughout this book of Proverbs. These multiplied nuggets are for our good. Wisdom and discretion are freely poured out for us for all aspects of our lives. Even in the turbulence of loss, we can walk securely. Our footing is firm even on the uneven ground of grief.

“Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:25-26

In Proverbs 1, we saw that we could thrive “without the dread of disaster” (Proverbs 1:33). Our world is peaceful enough to lull us into thinking it will never happen to us. And yet, sudden terrors do come upon us. However, we do not have to fear sudden terrors or the ruin of the wicked. We can stand in confident trust, and our foot will not stumble.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13