God knows us well.

“The heart of man is [not so good], . . . Who can know it?”
So God put in His Word what we need to know and what we need, to deal with ourselves.

If “trust in the Lord” was all the instruction necessary, the verse would end there.
God gives additional words to help us focus only on Him, because we get distracted by a multitude of stuff, inside and out.

First, the Word adds, “. . . with all your heart.”
Think about that, often.
It’s legitimate in the Christian life to be reminded of the simple basics over and over.
Don’t let regret or guilt whenever you forget God’s commands and promises, keep you from hearing them again.
We always benefit from re-reading and re-listening to everything in the Bible.

If we trusted God with all our heart, and stayed there, kept focused, that would be great.
But God knew what we’re likely to do right away, so He added, “. . . and do not lean on your own understanding.”

And then, a formula for specific action that we can practice to keep on track:
“In all your ways . . .”
In every single area of your life, in everything . . .
“In all your ways acknowledge Him . . .”
In every single area of your life, in everything, recognize God.

It’s like this: Just how close do I want to walk with God ?
Do I practice taking care of some things myself, or could Jesus be involved IN EVERYTHING, just like He was standing/walking/talking right beside me all day ?

Then, the end result, the final point of arrival, the goal, God’s goal for us in this passage:
“. . . and He will direct your paths.”
All of them ! ! !
– – –
Now, I hope you will always read and remember this part of His Word phrase by phrase, and practice it phrase by phrase, and experience His promise every step by step.

“The heart of man is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked;
who can know it ?”

“Trust in the Lord
with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways
acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.”