“My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments….” — Proverbs 3:1 NRSV.

“He who has the rule of his duty only in his Bible and in his head, is not likely to be a steady, consistent character; his heart is not engaged, and his obedience, in any case, can be only forced, or done from a sense of duty: it is not the obedience of a loving, dutiful child, to an affectionate father. But he who has the word of God in his heart, works from his heart; his heart goes with him in all things, and he delights to do the will of his heavenly Father, because his law is in his heart.” — Adam Clarke (1762-1832), Commentary on the Whole Bible.

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A PRAYER

Lord God,
Who brings light out of darkness,

Enlighten my soul.
I need more than knowledge alone.
I need more than a holy book —
However beneficial and true.

I need Your Holy Spirit.

Write your law on my heart;
May it be woven into the fabric of my character.
May I become
The person I was created to be:

Truly a child of God,
Conformed to the image of Christ,
In whose name we pray. Amen.

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“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” — Jeremiah 31:33 NRSV.

Tags: Adam Clarke | Christ | God | heart | Prayer | servanthood