A Full Time Moral and Spiritual GPS, Protection System, and Counselor! - Proverbs 6:21-22

Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.  When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. Proverbs 6:21-22

There is such a blessing that comes from the teaching of Godly parents.  They can bless us so much - if - we do not blow it by not taking what they say to us seriously.  This is why Solomon told us in this proverb that we need to take these things and bind them on our hearts and tie them around our necks. 

This admonition to keep these teachings and truths on our heart and around our neck are both pictures of giving them a high place in our lives.  This same admonition is given in Proverbs 1:8 about a parent's teaching - as well as in Proverbs 3:3 where it speaks about what we should do with kindness and truth in our lives.  There are some things that we need to value as highly as possible.  One of those things is the teaching of a godly father and mother.

We are told in verse 22 that if we do this we will have a protection service that will function in our lives.  We are told first that as we walk about these things will guide us.  Consider how often you would be guided if you took the advice of a very godly set of parents.  I can think of at least several serious disasters and problems I would not have if I had followed my father's advice on some financial matters.  This is why, as parents, we need to be sure to teach our children the Scriptures and use them as the wisdom that we pass on to them.  The wisdom of God's Word would guide our children everywhere that they go! 

The second blessing mentioned here is that as we sleep, these teachings and truths will watch over us.  The word for "watch over" here is the Hebrew word "shamar" which means to watch over so as to protect.  Whether you realize it or not, decisions you make are working either for or against you even as you sleep.  Consider a financial decision to make a foolish investment.  This investment is working even when you are asleep either to earn money or to watch it drop in value.  In much the same way, decisions for godliness are working for us - even as we sleep.  Following the godly advice of our parents will be working for us even as we are sleeping in our beds.  Associations with others that might harm us - stopped by following godly advice.  Decisions to invest in education - in a godly work ethic - to marry the right person - to live for the things of the Lord - all working marvelously for us every day we are alives. 

The final blessing mentioned here is that as we wake up - these things will be speaking to us.  I remember a friend who has a godly mother who said to me that some of the things she hears that bless her - usually come in the sound of her mother's voice in her head.  That is the value of what a parent teaches to a child when they take the time to teach them the Word of God.  There are times we will hear them at a crossroads decision - and their counsel will be sweet to us.  That is why we need to value you it like we would value some of our most prize possessions. 

Just a note as we come to the close of this particular proverb.  As this proverb is true of a parent's teaching - it is even more true about the teaching and training of our heavenly father.  His Word will bless us in the very same way - except with eternal blessings.  How we need to heed Colossians and let that Word dwell "RICHLY" in our hearts.  If we do - we will have God's Word lead us, watch over us, and speak to us all day long.  What a blessing!