Today’s Bible Reading:
Genesis 23:1-24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Proverbs 3:1-2 (NLT): “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The book of Proverbs is a wealth of wisdom. Virtually every verse is a general truth that informs us of how we are to act, think, speak, and view the world around us. We would do well to spend a lot of time with this book!
In the verses that I have chosen for today, we hear King Solomon speaking to his son. He encourages his child to “never forget the things (he) taught (him).” He encouraged him to “store (the) commands in his heart.”
As a father, I know how this sort of conversation goes. I have taught my sons what I know (something every father tends to find gratifying and takes much less time than we had thought). But our motive is the well-being of our children. We want our sons and daughters to do well, so we give them the life-lessons and commands we have learned. We hope that they will embrace those principles at a much earlier age and do a much better job at life than we did.
This seems to the motive that compelled King Solomon to speak to his son. Listen to what the king said would be the result of obeying each life-principle and command.
Proverbs 3:1-2 (NLT): “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.”
He wanted his son to do well. He wanted him to live a long, satisfying life. So, he gave him the book of Proverbs and pleaded with him to keep each principle in his mind and heart, living in compliance with them.
Friend, our Heavenly Father, the King of the universe, has given us His complete Word. The Bible we hold in our hands is God’s instruction to us. The Lord is calling us to treasure it up in our minds and hearts.
We must read and study our Bible. We must cultivate an ever-increasing wealth of knowledge and understanding of how God has told us to think and act. Then, we must put it into practice.
What will be the result? Generally speaking, a long, satisfying life.
Do people who treasure up God’s Word in their hearts sometimes die young? Certainly. Do people who embrace God’s Word and put it into practice sometimes have a tough life? That is true, as well.
But, the overarching truth is that the one who knows the biblical principles and puts them into practice will be able to make the most of the one life God has given to them.
The Jesus-follower knows that we are ultimately not made for this life, though. Even if it is short or challenging, we realize that we are simply travelers on our way to another land. Heaven is our ultimate destination.
So, we study God’s Word. We put it into practice. Generally speaking, we will enjoy a long, satisfying life. But even if our life is short and hard, we ultimately desire to arrive at our Heavenly home where we will enjoy being with our God forever.
Matt’s Musings 