Proverbs 6:22. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
First things first, what is the they in today’s proverb? That’s right, it’s the commands of father and teachings of mother that we talked about yesterday. Remember, Proverbs is a book written from a father to a son, or from parents to children. You may notice that Proverbs 6:22 sounds a lot like Deuteronomy 6:7.
Deuteronomy 6:7. You shall teach them [God’s commandments] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
In Deuteronomy, the parents are teaching their kids the word of God throughout the day, in all the normal activities of life – sitting, walking, lying down, rising. Are you a parent? As a parent are you attaching the gospel to the daily rhythms of your family? Family meals, bed time, while working or playing?
Is God your Father? If so, then you can read this proverb from the perspective of God’s child. Your Heavenly Father’s commandments and teachings will lead you when you walk, watch over you when you lie down, and talk with you when you awake. This is especially true for us in Christ. By our union with him, the Law of Christ, has been written on our hearts. It is woven into the very fabric of our being. We love because he loved us.
What about when we inevitably fail to love? What about when we forsake the Law of Christ and follow our fleshly desires? What about when we live in fear and anxiety?
That’s when we remember that Jesus is the Son of the Father who always walked, lied down, and awoke in perfect obedience to God’s will for us. As the wisest of all sons, Jesus took the words of his Heavenly Father with him wherever he went. He only did what his Abba in Heaven told him to do. He only said what God the Father told him to say. Jesus was led by the word of God, watched over by the word of God, and talked to by the word of God.
John 12:49-50. 49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.
And now the Word of God is alive in us, making us sons of God, children of the Father, talked to, led, and watched over by the blessed Trinity. Now, like Jesus himself, we know the will of the Father. We cry out to our Abba, just as Jesus did. We speak from his authority as we go and make disciples. Like THE Son, we are empowered by the word of the Father. The word of life and love. The word of grace and mercy.
The word of Christ now dwelling in us richly (Col. 3:16). Praise God!
You: To what degree is the Word of God and the word of God alive in you?
You in Christ: The law of Christ is written on your heart.Have you experienced this in your life – an indwelling desire to love and care for others?
Christ in you: Is there a gospel scripture you can memorize so that you can take it with you wherever you go? Like Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 2:6-7.
Pray: Father, teach me, lead me, watch over me, and talk to me by your word, just as you did Jesus. Amen.
To Live is Christ 