Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. The subject to consider is not the giving of your hearts to God, in opposition to hypocrisy and mere devotion, but the giving your hearts, that is, yourselves, to Him, preferably to all other competitors for your affection. Many will be courting your youthful affections, and endeavouring to engage your hearts to them — the world, the flesh, the devil, vain and wicked companions. I. WHO HAS THE GREATEST CLAIM TO YOUR HEARTS? Consider the equity and reasonableness of the demands of God, your Creator and Redeemer. Contrast with the pretensions of the devil, the world or the flesh. II. WHERE MAY YOU BESTOW YOUR HEARTS WITH THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE? 1. Suppose that the world and the flesh are able, at present, to make good their specious promises, what will come when the transitory pleasures are passed away? 2. Even with regard to this life, the advantage is far from being so much on their side as they would make you believe. The insinuations that religion will make you unhappy are mere calumnies that stand confuted by a thousand experiences to the contrary. The devil, the world, and the flesh promise you indeed riches, honour, and abundance of pleasures, but they promise what it is not in their power to give.Motives urging to the immediate surrender of the heart to God are — 1. This will be particularly acceptable to God and the Redeemer. 2. It will be singularly comfortable and advantageous to yourselves. 3. If you refuse God your hearts now, perhaps hereafter it will be too late to offer them. 4. Consider what the refusal of your hearts to God implies in it. 5. Think how you will answer your refusal at the great day. (John Oakes.) Parallel Verses KJV: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.WEB: My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. |
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