This text gives a three-pronged course of action for guiding our children toward God’s plan for their lives.
First, they must trust in the Lord with all of their heart. That trust will be determined by how we have taught and how we lived out our own trust in Him. Our trust must be wholehearted, if we are to pass that characteristic on to the next generation.
Next, they cannot depend on their own understanding to figure out God’s way for their lives. God’s way cannot always be rationalized because His ways are higher than our ways (Is. 55:8, 9). Helping our children learn to hear God’s voice for themselves opens the door to trusting Him even when it doesn’t make sense.
Third, we must teach our children to acknowledge God in all they do. “Acknowledge” suggests that one should be fully aware of and in fellowship with the Lord.
The result will be sure direction. The word “direct” suggests that God will straighten out the path of His servants. That is what we want for ourselves and our children.
