“My son, let them not escape from your sight, But keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22And they will be life to your soul (your inner self) And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self). 23Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely And your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3: 21-23 AMP
As a young boy learning how to play baseball, I remember the coach saying, “above anything else, keep your eye on the ball!” Truer words could not have been spoken! Get distracted and get your eye off the ball and you will strike out for sure! Solomon gives us the exact same advice. “let them not escape from your sight.” More literally translated, don’t get your eyes off the ways of the Lord! The quickest way to get discouraged and defeated is to get your eyes off the Lord! I love the Amplifed’s translation, “22And they will be life to your soul (your inner self).” So many today are looking in all the wrong places for inner peace. Notice the result of the “inner peace,” “a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).” The outward appearance is directly related to the inner condition. The promise however is conditional on keeping the Lord’s ways! The Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus,
“[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),” Ephesians 1:17-18 AMP
Look at the first thing he prayed for them, “may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him.” Having a true knowledge of God is of paramount importance to the believer. It isn’t a knowledge based on the world’s perception of God but that which is formed from a personal relationship. Living in a land where Christianity is outlawed, many try to convince me that the local way is the right way. My answer is always the same, “Thank you very much but I know God personally and what He has done for me.” No one can take that from me! Jail me, oppress me, even kill me and no one can ever take that truth from me! My relationship with God is exactly that, a relationship! Then Paul prays that “18And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit].”
It is the Holy Spirit that brings the Word of God to life and causes it to bring forth good things in one’s life. There must be a change of heart for the goodness of God to take root. The Amplified hits the nail on the head saying the heart is the “very canter and core of your being.” The Scripture reminds us that,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:34 AMP
Fairly straight forward I would say! The world is longing for a place of peace and comfort and the Scripture gives us a clear answer,
“23Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:23 AMP
Set your heart today on following God with all your heart and all your soul and will all your mind! Then,
“the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:7 AMP
Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken