Bind and Write

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
BIND AND WRITE
Prov 3:3-4
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
NIV
Other translations use mercy and truth instead of love and faithfulness so I am a little undecided here. The original language is also a little unclear as it could imply kindness, or piety towards God and stability or trustworthiness. I think in either case, in either translation or implication there is a sense of character which is advised not to leave me as I am to bind them around my neck and write them on the tablet of my heart. No matter how I look at the words, in any form they are my state or the condition of my relationship with God. The love, kindness, piety is directed toward God. My faithfulness, stability or trustworthiness is also directed toward God. These are not my emotions, or interactions with other men, but with God. I need to love him with all of my being, to have this around my neck circles my head, my mind and on the tablet of my heart surely implies within the very core of who I am. These qualities are not something I can just have as a part of what I think or feel once and awhile during my prayer time, or during some church service. No they have to be the very fabric of my being. They have to be what I am made of, what drives my very life, the purpose for which I live. What could be better than finding favor and good understanding in the sight of God? Again, I have to return to the original words, to gather up a better grasp. Having the traits of love and trustworthiness toward God allows me to find this favor in his sight. It brings me a good understanding in his sight as well, as I am able to fellowship with him and he with me. As this relationship deepens, and I grow to be more like him, I am confident that my character will also be seen by man and I will have favor and a good name in their sight as well. I think as a representative of God in this land I live, that should be not my goal, to win favor and a good name, but the result of my relationship with him as thus he will be praised not me. I am simply to bind and write.