My son do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.   Proverbs 3:1-4 NKJV

When the Bible says the same thing in several places, I have to think it must be important. God wants to be sure we understand it.

God tells us in numerous Scripture passages to keep His commands. In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” 1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” This is just a few, there are many others.

Deuteronomy 5:33 says, “You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.”

Psalm 91 speaks of God’s protection on those who choose to reside in His shelter. He says in verses 14-16, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

In our Scripture passage today, we are reminded to never let mercy and truth leave us or forsake us. In Deuteronomy 6:6 God commanded the Israelites to love the LORD with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength. Jesus said this was the most important commandment in Matthew 22:37.

In Deuteronomy 6:7-9 the Israelites were told to diligently teach God’s commands to their children, speak of them always.

God’s word should always be on our minds and in our hearts. We should always first seek Him and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Our Scripture passage tells us by doing as God commands, we will find favor with God and with men. Now we are not supposed to strive to please men, but this isn’t the only Scripture that tells us if we please God, we will have peace with men. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.”

We are here to be ambassadors for Christ. We were put here to be in fellowship with the Lord and to make disciples of others. We must stand out from the crowd in a good way. Others should look at how we live our lives and want the same for themselves. They should see Christ in us.

Keep God’s commands. Be a person of integrity. Be a man or woman of God’s word and also keep your word. Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’ be ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Be merciful. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” He said in Matthew 6:14-15 if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us.

Put God first, do His will. Be merciful and you will be shown mercy. Speak the truth always. There are times when we will fail because we are human, but we should always strive to do our best. We should pray for God’s help and His strength.

Have a great day!