20 My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,
While on vacation recently, I noticed it was nice to have several nightlights in the hall and bathrooms to help navigate in an unfamiliar territory. It reminded me of the years I spent as a child taking comfort sleeping with a nightlight. The little bit of yellow light in my room, helped me to feel safe and secure. No more dark shadows to see or worrying what was lurking under my bed. Light brings comfort in dark moments. The middle part of verse 22 speaks of God’s wisdom watching over us, while we sleep. There is comfort knowing we can fall asleep without fear or worry because God is watching over us. Even when we are suddenly awoken in the middle of the night from a loud noise, we know God is there. We take comfort knowing God’s wisdom guides us, watches over us, and speaks to us the words we need to hear. May we keep the commands and teachings of our Heavenly Father, they are a lamp to our paths and a light for our lives.
Matt