Proverbs 6.20-21
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.”
The standards and principles that the Lord has given to us must be taught, learned, and protected. Here Solomon is telling us to do the work to protect God’s truth in our life.
We have been “instructed by our father,” and we have been “taught by our mother.” In other words, we have been trained in God’s truth. Now, Solomon says, keep the Lord’s teaching close to you at all times. Do the work to keep God’s truth always on your heart and around your neck.
Do not drift from God’s standards, and do not let God’s standards drift from you. This was Solomon’s admonition in Proverbs 4: “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life .. Fill your heart with God’s truth, then guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Paul said the same thing in Colossians 3.16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
Please understand. This is not casual bible study. This is not perfunctory or superficial reading of the Word of God. This is focused study followed by disciplined action throughout your lifetime.
Proverbs 6.22
“When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”
If you do the work to keep the Lord’s teaching always on your heart, then God’s truth will speak to you, guide you, and watch over you. The Lord’s instruction will provide you with the principles and power for everyday life.
Despite the obviousness of this basic truth, the reality is that we have a tendency to neglect God’s standards. We drift. We get lazy. We get busy with other things, and we forget the Lord’s teaching. Proverbs admonishes us: Don’t drift. Don’t get lazy. Do not operate on auto-pilot. Be diligent and disciplined.
As the next verses say, the disciplined process (musar) is “the way of life.” We will address that tomorrow.
Trust God and do the work.
