Read: Proverbs 6
Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. (v. 21)
“Bind them”—bind the words of God to your heart. You’ll see this phrase in Proverbs 3, 6, and 7. You’ll see it, too, in Deuteronomy 6 and 11. Binding, or tying, the words of God to your heart is a key picture of the Shema of Deuteronomy 6. The Hebrew term shema means “hear” as in “hear, O Israel,” and it is Moses’ urgent plea that his people hear God’s words and his commands to constantly guide their lives.
In the Shema as well as in Proverbs 6, you see the urgent call to hear God’s words and keep them when you lie down, when you rise, when you walk along the road, and when you sit at home. God’s words are to be ever-present around you. When God’s words are ever-present, God is ever-present. He will be there in the power of his words to strengthen you against evil as he forms your heart and mind more and more into his image.
The Proverbs writer knows full well how evil, instead of God’s words, bind and imprison people’s hearts. He urges you to think, say, and do God’s words as you resist evil and rejoice in being like-minded with God. As Jesus came to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18), he did so through the preaching of our holy God’s words. God’s words are your key to freedom from evil. Read, speak, and know God’s words. Put them into action. —Bob James
As you pray, thank God for writing these words to you.
About the Author
Reverend Bob James heads the non-profit organization One With God, which he formed to teach pastors and feed orphans across the globe. He produces daily Bible lessons, study books and commentaries to disciple pastors and church leaders.
