Each month, we’re going to reflect on what we’ve been reading in the Know His Word reading plan. We’ll call this Reading His Word. You’ll hear excerpts from Bible studies and reflections from our team and others reading alongside us. This month we’re sharing some reflections adapted from The Psalms and Proverbs Devotional for Women by Dorothy Kelley Patterson and Rhonda Harrington Kelley. Enjoy!
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Proverbs 3 focuses on the importance of God’s commands in the lives of His children. From the Old Testament era until now, the Jewish people have held a high view of Scripture. They often place Scripture on the doorposts of their homes as a reminder to take the Word of God with them wherever they go.
A mezuzah is a small container, fashioned today by Jewish jewelers and artisans, that hold verses from the Old Testament. Orthodox Jews continue to wear phylacteries (leather pouches) around their bodies to carry God’s Word with them wherever they go. These physical containers have spiritual meaning—an outward display of Scripture should be paired with an inward commitment to truth. God desires for His children to hide His Word in their hearts (v. 3).
I am grateful for the Scripture I memorized as a child. My mother faithfully taught me the Bible and trained me to learn it verse-by-verse. While I may have complained as a child about the difficulty of memorization and the time commitment involved, I now rejoice as I recall those Scriptures hidden in my heart. Now, I try to surround myself in our home and my office with Bible verses on pictures and posters. I wear jewelry with Christian symbols and give gifts with Scripture verses as visible reminders that God’s Word must be near to us before it can dwell in us.
Proverbs 3:3 specifically commands God’s children to write His words on their hearts. How do you hide His Word in your heart? Have you written His wise teachings indelibly on your heart? Those who follow the Lord must know His Word and keep it close. Make specific commitments today to prioritize the Bible in your life.
Verse 4 records the promised reward to those who treasure God’s Word. Wisdom and guidance are immediate blessings for faithful living. Favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man are other benefits. Financial rewards are not promised for faithfulness. Instead, the results of obedience and righteousness are joy and peace as well as the confidence that God is pleased with you. Unrighteous living inevitably brings personal and spiritual consequences.
This passage moves the focus from formal wisdom to daily devotion. The believer who is committed to God and studies His Word will receive earthly blessings and eternal rewards. So, hide His Word in your heart and live out His Word in your life. Honor and blessing are the rewards for faithfulness and obedience.
This article was adapted from The Psalms and Proverbs Devotional for Women by Dorothy Kelley Patterson and Rhonda Harrington Kelley, with this particular portion written by Rhonda Kelley. We’d recommend this devotional to learn more about how Psalms and Proverbs relates to us today!
