Proverbs 4:13 – Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
I love the book of Proverbs! There is so much wisdom and richness of soul to be found there! The Bible was written for our benefit, and our life prospers because of it!
In the simplest way, let me break down Proverbs 4:13.
Take FIRM HOLD of instruction! When studying the word HOLD, it means to actively seek, to fasten upon it by force, to NOT relax our grip!
In essence, God desires that we pursue and VALUE His Word so much that we can’t live without it! Do you feel lost without your Bible? Think about it in terms of your cell phone! How much MORE should we prioritize not leaving the house without feeding our souls with the bread from heaven?!
When speaking about God’s instruction, the Bible says, “Don’t let it GO!” Meaning, “Do not relax! Do not be slack! Do not forsake! Do not be slothful! Do not let it alone!”
I LOVE that! It’s as if God is saying, “Hey guys, it’s going to be real easy for your Bibles to collect dust; guard against that! It’s for your good!”
KEEP HER! This means to guard her, protect her, keep close to her! This speaks loudly to me! It’s up to us to make room and space for God’s Word in our lives! I’ve had to establish boundaries and set disciplines in place over the years to make sure I’m staying near God’s voice in my life! Not out of duty, but delight!
Lastly, She is your LIFE! Life here is described as green vegetation, flowing fresh with water, and nourishment, reviving us from discouragement and faintness, causing us to grow, and restoring us to health. WOW, its benefits are GOLD!
“It is written and forever remains written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” Matthew 4:4
Cherish it,
Heart of Nations House of Prayer,
-Mandy Reiszner