In a schedule of reading through the Bible in a year, the book of Proverbs has always seemed the most difficult book for me. Many of the individual proverbs are sort of stand-alone wisdom sayings, and to read large swaths of them can be sort of like flipping through a large collection of photos without really stopping to appreciate each for what it is. Keeping in mind Thomas Brooks’ counsel, which I repeat from a previous year – “Remember, it is not hasty reading, but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee’s touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet.” – maybe a single proverb or short selection each day I’m here in the book along with a reflection.
3:3,4 – “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” For the child of God, the traits of love and faithfulness are not seen only occasionally. These are not attributes that surface only when needed in order reach some personal goal. They are to characterize the Christian’s life. Any time, during any day, and in any circumstance, they are to be evident in our lives. We must be people who love and who are faithful, and that without question or lapse.
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above. --- John Fawcett (1782)