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Daily Devotion: Proverbs 4:20-23

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Proverbs 4:20-23    "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  (21)  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  (22)  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  (23)  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

"Keep thy heart with all diligence."  Back in Chapter 2, we saw instructions to "hide my commandments with thee." There are keys given to us by which we are to keep our hearts. Jesus spoke much about the heart and the fact that out of the heart, flows the abundance of our desires.  In Matthew 15:18, Jesus spoke, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart..." There are many thoughts that come into our minds and if we are not careful, those thoughts become words or actions. Those words or actions will either lift up or tear down.  

As you read this fourth chapter of Proverbs, it becomes apparent that David spent much time in teaching and sharing with Solomon. How can we "keep our hearts"?  It is my thought that we must guard what goes in and place gates upon what comes out.  "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11)  It is my experience that whatever is put into my mind will eventually make its way out; therefore, I must "keep my heart with all diligence."  David was inspired to write to us that we are on safe ground if we hide the Word of God in our hearts. The greatest key to keeping our hearts is by hiding (filling) the Word of God within us. Yes, it is very important to spend time in God's Word each day.

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