Proverbs 3:3

Do not let kindness (mercy) and truth leave you; bind them around your neck. (Parentheses added)

As we have seen and will see in many of the Proverbs, two varied characteristics are brought together in a singular way. The Proverbs are showing us in assorted compositions that extremes in daily living; in relationships; and even in world politics are just not helpful to the human existence. But rather, when we can balance together seemingly distinct thoughts and actions, then our human reality thrives on a personal and collective level.

In our word search today for the word truth we find kindness or mercy paired with it. Not only are truth and kindness matched in a singular fashion, we are commanded (yes, commanded) not to let either of them leave us. And we are told the way to do that is to bind them both about our necks. Interesting imagery isn’t it? Let’s dive in and discover why these two concepts are paired together to be used in our lives in a very singular way. 

The first half of Proverbs 3:3 is a command from Solomon to his son and it is a command for us. Not a suggestion, not only if it is convenient, and certainly not an “if our emotions feel like it”. 

This command makes it clear that kindness and truth can leave us and we are to prevent that. So, here, again, we are instructed that attributes like kindness and truth don’t just breeze around with the wind and fall happenstance here and there. 

No! These attributes are critical in our thinking, our words and actions and we are to protect them at all costs. That is where the phrase “bind them around your neck” comes into play. 

My precious sister has been a widow now for 3 ½ years. A heart attack, very unexpected, took her husband of 47 years into the very arms of Jesus. We are so thankful to know that. Her journey without him on this earth has been filled with an array of emotions and questions; some victories and some disappointments, as so many before her have mourned. She decided on a memorial that has helped her cling to the reality of her new normal as well as her future that she will see her husband again.

My sister wears his wedding ring and his class ring (which he always wore) around her neck on a sturdy, but beautiful chain. Sometimes this necklace memorial is hidden by her clothing, but more often it graces her neck for all to see. This memorial is a reminder to her of their amazing life together, it is a reminder to acknowledge the sadness she will always feel and to use that for God’s glory, and most importantly to remind her of the faith she has in her Savior and His promise of reunion in glory. 

She has “bond” all these reminders around her neck. The rings never leave her neck except to shower. This memorial is a part of who she is and how she serves Jesus and others. They bring a singular daily focus into her daily life and helps her to thrive rather than shrink into despair. 

That’s how we are to keep kindness working together with truth AND truth working together with kindness in all that we think and say and do. Keep them bonded together around our necks as reminders of how God wants us to interact with everyone within our circle of influence. And just like my sister’s necklace, we are never ever to remove our necklace of kindness and truth bonded together in singularity around our necks…not even for a shower! 

The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. 

If that is our prayer then kindness and truth must be bonded together always!