Cultivate Intimacy With Jehovah

Cultivate Implicit Trust In Jehovah

The wise king continues: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight."-Proverbs 3:5, 6.

Jehovah is certainly worthy of our complete trust. As the Creator, he is "vigorous in power" and is the Source of "dynamic energy." (Isaiah 40:26, 29) He is able to carry out all that he has purposed. Why, his very name literally means "He Causes to Become," and it builds our confidence in his ability to fulfill what he has promised! The fact that "it is impossible for God to lie" makes him the very epitome of truth . (Hebrews 6:18) His dominant qualities is love. (1 John 4:8) He is "righteous in all his ways and loyal in all his works." (Psalm 145:17) If we cannot trust God, whom can trust? Of course, to cultivate trust in him, we need to "taste and see that Jehovah is good" by applying what we learn from the Bible in our personal life and by reflecting upon the good that this produces. -Psalm 34:8.

How may we take notice of Jehovah in all our ways? The inspired psalmist says: "I shall certainly meditate on all your activity, and with your dealings I will concern myself." (Psalm 77:12) Since God is invisible, meditate on his great acts and on his dealings with his people is vital for cultivating intimacy with him.

Prayer is also an important way of taking notice of Jehovah. Kind David kept calling on Jehovah "all day long." (Psalm 86:3) David often prayed through the night, as when he was a fugitive in the wilderness. (Psalm 63:6, 7) "Carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit," exhorted the apostle Paul. (Ephesians 6:18) How often do we pray? Do we enjoy having personal heartfelt communication with God? When faced with trying situations, do we petition him for help? Do we prayerfully seek his guidance before making important decisions? Our sincere prayers to Jehovah endear us to him. And we have the assurance that he will listen to our prayer and 'make our paths straight'

How foolish it is to 'lean upon our own understanding' or that of prominent people in the world when we can place our complete confidence in Jehovah! "Do not become wise in your own eyes," says Solomon. On the contrary, he admonishes: "Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad. May it become a healing to your navel and a refreshment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:7, 8) The healthy fear of displeasing God ought to govern all our actions, thoughts and emotions. Such reverential fear prevents us from doing what is bad and is spiritually healing and refreshing.

Next time:Give Jehovah Your Best

Watchtower, 2000