“Do Not Lean Upon Your Own Understanding”

[Bible Speaks]

“Do Not Lean Upon Your Own Understanding”

“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding.”—PROV. 3:5.

How do you make weighty decisions in life? 

Do you perhaps decide first and then pray to Jehovah to bless the decision you have made? 

Consider what Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, did when the combined forces of the Moabites and the Ammonites came up against him to wage war. Judah was in no position to take a stand against them. What action was Jehoshaphat to take?

11 “Jehoshaphat became afraid and set his face to search for Jehovah,” says the Bible. He declared a fast for all Judah and collected the people together “to inquire of Jehovah.” Then he stood up in the congregation of Judah and of Jerusalem and prayed. In part, he pleaded: “O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For in us there is no power before this large crowd that is coming against us; and we ourselves do not know what we ought to do, but our eyes are toward you.” The true God heard Jehoshaphat’s prayer and provided a miraculous deliverance. (2 Chron. 20:3-12, 17) 

When making decisions, especially those that may affect our spirituality, should we not rely on Jehovah rather than lean upon our own understanding?

(Je·hoshʹa·phat) [Jehovah Is Judge].

Jehoshaphat proved himself to be a king who relied on Jehovah. When Judah was threatened by the combined forces of Ammon, Moab, and the mountainous region of Seir, he humbly acknowledged the nation’s weakness in the face of this danger and prayed to Jehovah for help. Thereafter Jehovah fought for Judah by striking confusion into the ranks of the enemy so that they slaughtered one another. Consequently the surrounding nations became fearful, and Judah continued to enjoy peace.—2Ch 20:1-30.

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011841#h=14:136-15:737