Proverbs 6:20-22: Abiding Place

My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. Proverbs 6:20-22

Keep: Guard with fidelity, observe

Command: precept, code of wisdom/law

Forsake: abandon

Law: instruction

Bind: knit together, join

Continually: of going on without interruption

Heart: memory

Tie: to lace fast, bind

Roam: walk about

Lead: guide, instruct

Keep: guard

Speak: to ponder

Proverbs 6:21

Bind them continually upon thine heart,.... Not upon the head or arm, as the words of the law were to be bound, Deuteronomy 6:3; to which there seems to be an allusion; and which may confirm the sense of the words given, that this respects the law of God itself, and the precepts of it, instructed in by parents; but they should be bound upon the heart, and have an abiding place in the understanding, affections, memory, and will; 

and tie them about thy neck; as an ornament, instead of a necklace of pearl, or chains of gold; they should be so far from being thought burdensome and troublesome, that they should be reckoned comely and graceful

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

"Have an abiding place in the understanding, affections, memory, and will." What do I store away in my memory? What do I allow to effect my affections and will? Something will effect your memory, your actions, your thoughts, your motives. What will it be? 

If wisdom and instruction are abiding in my mind, my memory, than all I do, say, and think will be impacted by that is right. If I ignore wisdom and fill my mind with sinful thoughts and selfish ideas, then that will also be reflected in my life. 

Abiding place. Something will take up residence—either wisdom or foolishness. If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then wisdom and and instruction will have an abiding place. 

Unmatchable. Unsurpassable.

"He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent]." Colossians 1:18 (AMP)

First and be preeminent. 

Number One. Incomparable. Supreme. Superior. Unequalled. Ultimate. Matchless. Unmatchable. Unsurpassable. 

Occupy. 

Be active with. Immerse. Involve. Engage. Monopolize. Residence.

In EVERY respect. 

Without exception. Consideration. Practice. Regard.

Fact: Jesus Christ is the first and unequalled. 

Because of that FACT, He is to have unmatchable and unsurpassable residence in my heart and life, without exception. There is to be NO competition.

Does Jesus Christ have the ultimate, unmatchable, preeminent place in every aspect of my life? 

In order for me to say "yes" to that question, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). 

Remember ‘My Place’

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

Gracious: compassionate, good-hearted, loving, merciful, kindness, and generosity of spirit, responsive, right, righteous, thoughtful.

So often we think we deserve something from God. We often ‘demand’ things or try to bargin with God. “God, if you do ..................., then I’ll do ................” But God is not one to make bargins nor does He need to listen to any of our demands. 

God is gracious, but that does not mean that He will give us everything we think we deserve or want. For in reality if God gave us what we really deserved, that would be eternity in Hell, separated from a Holy God.

However, God graciously provided His Son as a sacrifice to pay the debt we owe for our sin. Only, by accepting that substitute can we have access to God’s grace and mercy. 

God be merifcul and gracious to us. He has been.... and abundantly so... simply in the way He demonstrated His love toward us. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember ‘my place’ and be grateful for God’s mercy and grace. 

Just Because!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

Let me ·live [sojourn] in your ·Holy Tent [tent; the sanctuary] forever. Let me find ·safety [refuge] in the shelter of your wings [an image of compassion, or perhaps referring to the cherubim whose wings cover the Ark of the Covenant]. ·Selah [Interlude] Psalm 61:4 (EXB)

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude Psalm 61:4 (NLT)

I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 61:4 (AMP)

When Max, my parakeet, gets scared he likes to be either of two places, in the corner of his night cage, or on my shoulder snuggles close to my ear. I’ve also learned that Max likes to be on my shoulder when simply wants to be near me. Knowing that I am a “safe refuge” when Max is scared, he also enjoys being near me “just because.”

Knowing that God provides a safe and secure place when I as scared, gives me assurance that I can enjoy His company, “just because”. 

Just because. There are people in my life with whom I enjoy spending time, due to the fact that I feel safe with them, and we have a great time. Often it doesn’t have to be any “reason” to get together.... rather “just because”. 

Just because. I know that I can go to God for compassion, safety, and refuge. But the great truth is, that I can go to God... just because! I don’t have to have any reason, or need. I can enjoy God’s refuge and presence... just because 

To create a positive day, I only have to find refuge and shelter in the presence of God.... and know that I don’t need any other reason... except.. Just Because!