I invite you to meditate on the introductory verses to Proverbs 3 and ponder two questions: What goals should Christian parents aspire to for their children? How do your aspirations differ from the world?
More than riches, honors and awards…the heart’s desire of a Christian parent should be that their children cherish and obey God’s Word and heed godly counsel and instructions. Solomon stated his primary aspiration for his son in the opening verse of Proverbs 3 in this exhortation: Be Obedient—A wise son opens his heart to his parent’s instructions.
Proverbs 3:1– “My son, forget not [lit. never forget or leave] my law [direction; instructions]; but let thine heart [mind] keep [preserve; watch; guard] my commandments [law; precepts]:”
The spiritual walk is not motivated out of DUTY, but out of DEVOTION. King David declared his devotion to God in Psalm 119:10-11: “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ezra, the priest and scribe of Israel who led God’s people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem “prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it…” (Ezra 7:10). Daniel, though a teenager and far from the influences of home and country, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8). 
Proverbs 3:2 promises that devotion to God and obedience to His Word comes with a wonderful promise:
Proverbs 3:2 – “For length [long] of days, and long life, and peace [welfare; prosperity; favor; health], shall they add to thee.”
Generally speaking, devotion to God and a spirit of humility and obedience has its reward – LIFE [both the Quantity of Life—“length of days, and long life”; and Quality of life—“and peace shall they (the father’s law and commandments) add to thee”] (Proverbs 3:2).
On the eve of Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the disciples’ flight into the safety of the night when He was arrested, Christ taught His disciples: “If a man love me, he will keep my words…24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings…” (John 14:23b-24).
I close today’s devotional stating a spiritual truth: Loving, selfless devotion precedes heartfelt obedience.
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith
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