“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
This is one of my favorite proverbs because of the imagery the words create and how it reminds me of my first visit to Fort Knox.
When we lived in Kentucky, we had the opportunity to visit friends stationed there. It was my first time to such a large base and getting onto base was no easy feat. We passed two guard shacks before we finally made our way to our friends home.
In this one verse, there are two different words used with very similar meanings:
Keep: nāṣar – H5341: watch, guard, keep; in ethical sense of men, guarding the way
Diligence: mišmār– H4929: guard-post; setting a guard; band of (Levitical) guardsor functionaries
The imagery here is of not one, but two guards, standing at the post, at all times, carefully limiting entry. Can you see it? That’s how we are to be with our hearts – careful, diligent, watchful, protective. It’s a full time job.
The Matthew Henry Commentary says it so beautifully: “We must maintain a holy jealousy of ourselves, and set a strict guard, accordingly, upon all the avenues of the soul; keep our hearts from doing hurt and getting hurt, from being defiled by sin and disturbed by trouble; keep them as our jewel, as our vineyard; keep a conscience void of offence; keep out bad thoughts; keep up good thoughts; keep the affections upon right objects and in due bounds…we must keep our hearts with more care and diligence than we keep any thing else.”
When I think about the things I’m UBER protective of, I’m not always on the list. I don’t guard my peace like I know I should. I subject myself situations I should say no to. Today, I’m reminded that my heart – my inner being, the place where His presence rests, is often left unprotected when it should be the most guarded place. I’m spending some time re-evaluating areas and changes that need to be made to repair the locks on my heart. I don’t know yet what that looks like, but I’m certain there are a few places that need to be adjusted and mended on the gate to my heart. There are only two people who can do that work – Him and me. It’s time to inspect the gates.
Father – thank You for Your love and sweet conviction. Thank You for the reminder. Help me to love what You love and do what You do. Show me where to make adjustments. Teach me to make the most of my time and my opportunities. More of You. Less of me. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Proverbs 4-6
June 4, 2022