My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
—Proverbs 3:1-4

~~~~~

God’s Golden Standard
By Jennifer Kane

Gold gleams with splendor, bold and bright,
Its luster draws the world’s acclaim.
Yet wisdom whispers, soft and near,
True worth lies not in wealth or fame.

“My son,” says God, “remember well,
The teachings placed within your heart.
For peace and years will follow you,
When love and truth do not depart.”

Gold may endure through flame and test,
Its brilliance born of forge and fire.
But faithfulness, like love, remains,
A treasure pure, a prize far higher.

Tie love around your neck, a chain,
Its glow will light your every way.
Write truth upon your heart’s own page,
And walk in mercy every day.

The Golden Rule, divinely cast,
Calls us to treat all men with care.
For favor grows with God and man
When kindness rules the deeds we share.

Gold can adorn, but cannot buy
The peace that makes the spirit whole.
For in obeying wisdom’s path,
We find true riches for the soul.

Let gold be fleeting, let it fade,
Its glory pale to love’s pure flame.
The heart that follows God’s commands
Will leave a shining, lasting name.

~~~~~

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-3, Matthew 7:12

The wisdom of Proverbs 3:1-3 is a call to a life of love and mercy, rooted in God’s commands and reflected in our interactions with others. This teaching aligns beautifully with Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:12, often referred to as the Golden Rule:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

When we embrace mercy and truth and keep God’s word close to our hearts, we naturally fulfill the Golden Rule, treating others with the love and grace we ourselves desire.

Proverbs 3 reminds us to “not forget my law” and to let our hearts keep God’s commands. This inward transformation is the foundation for outward obedience. Similarly, Jesus emphasized that all the Law and Prophets are fulfilled in love (Matthew 22:37-40). Living by God’s word enables us to love others genuinely and sacrificially.

Mercy reflects God’s love (Luke 6:36), and truth reflects His faithfulness (John 14:6). When we embrace these qualities, we reflect God’s character and fulfill the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Galatians 5:14). To show mercy is to forgive freely, to serve selflessly, and to treat others with the same grace we receive from God.

The Golden Rule is practical mercy and truth in action. It means being kind when faced with unkindness, speaking truth with love, and seeking the good of others even when it costs us something. This principle invites us to step into the shoes of others and treat them as we wish to be treated—with dignity, compassion, and fairness.

This week, intentionally practice the Golden Rule in your daily interactions. Reflect on how you can show mercy and truth in your relationships—whether through forgiveness, encouragement, or simply listening with empathy. As you do, pray for God’s word to guide your actions and transform your heart.

~~~~~

Lord, help me to live out Your command to love others as I desire to be loved. Write Your mercy and truth on my heart, that I may reflect them in my words and actions. Teach me to walk humbly, love deeply, and treat others with the grace You have shown me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 3 2025