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My sons and daughters, do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverb 3: 1-4
Growing up in High School, I remember that to go anywhere “fun” in town, I often had to drive past my grandparents’ house, the same godly grandparents that often fed me meals after school also passed along a lot of faith lessons to me.
One day after school, my friend and I had a typical teenage idea – let’s go race our cars to see whose car was the fastest, my ’68 Nova, or his ’76 Mercury Cougar? Well, he didn’t stand a chance. I won, twice!
I have to confess I didn’t get in trouble that day for street racing, but I did for something else. I had tinted the windows on my car very dark, which was illegal. But it sure looked cool! The day I went out to race my friend I got pulled over, right in front of my grandparents’ house! How embarrassing!
To make it worse, I left out the fact that I had gotten pulled over earlier in the week and received a warning. I told the officer that I had started removing the tint but ran out of time. I’ll never forget his response: “Either you’ve got the time, or you’ve got the money”. I said, “I’ve got the time.”
God’s commands are there to protect us, not just convict or condemn us. In Proverbs 3, Solomon, tells us the wisdom of the commands is not something you do, but a chosen way of life. He urges us to wear the commands around our neck, like precious jewelry, so we don’t forget.
Even today, when I drive by the house where my grandparents used to live, it warms my heart. I remember the holidays, the meals, and lots of stories. I also remember the police stop – and the grace I was given to remove the tint. Or the fact nothing bad happened in the race. My mother would say that the angels were watching over me, and I’d agree!
I’d like to say I got smart right away, but that wouldn’t be true. But that day, and many more after that, have stayed in my mind – reminders, lessons, that have helped me live, and even prosper.
There is a promise in these verses that holds true for us: “do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”
Hold tightly to these words, the treasures of God’s commands. Do not let them leave you. They only leave when you let them go. Wear them around your neck and receive His blessings today!
In Christ; Pastor Dan
