Proverbs 8:17, A Passion Prompted!
March 26, Proverbs 8:17
John 14:15-21 “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
A Passion Prompted!
- A Merciful Deity: Again, Wisdom speaks with personal, divine authority. It leads with heart and intellect, with sincere affection and sober admonition. Wisdom’s objective truth is conveyed to the subjective heart of man, from His Heart to yours!
a. A Heavenly Affinity: Here is a true love, which is at the basis of all the warnings and directions given (v.17a). How clearly we see this expressed in the Triune God of Scripture. Is not Creation itself the outcome of the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Yet, obviously this does not include everybody! It is a fact that Wisdom bestows her truths on those who love her, for love reproduces itself. Many despise or ignore Divine Wisdom. None of us naturally loves God. Only those prompted by Saving Grace can love Wisdom. Is it not He who implants that love in our hearts and then assures us of His love for us (1Jn. 4:19)? He kindles the flame and fans it into life, thus drawing us to seek Him (Jn. 3:8). The source of this love is Christ. He loves those who love Him because strong and unbreakable ties unite them to Him. It is an eternal, unchangeable love. This bond is depicted as Bridegroom and bride, Vine and branches, Head and members. Christ loves them because they possess His Spirit and bear His image. “He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.” You may ask, “Does Christ love me?” Well, if Christ loves those who love Him, then He will love those who are ready to suffer all things for His sake. Does this include you? Be sure of this, that God’s love of you was long before your love of God! There is no greater love or happiness than to love and beloved by God’s Beloved Son!
b. A Holy Assiduity: The Hebrew word means seeking at the dawn or beginning of the day (v.17b). This is a constant theme of Proverbs (23:26). In the early morning of life, the first love, and the first hour, is the time to seek Wisdom, the true knowledge of Christ, and a saving interest in Him. Youth’s heart is still fluid. The older we get, the harder the heart becomes. Who or what moulds it determines the direction it takes. A young life saved means not only a soul saved but years of life saved from sin and its bitter fruits (Job 13:26). Don’t give your best years to Satan and the dregs to the Saviour. None ever complained about coming too soon, but many have wept over the “many precious years” wasted. God promises pardon to the penitent, but doesn’t promise always to give eleventh-hour penitence to the careless. Seek Christ, however, assured that those who seek Him early, with all their heart, will find Him (Is. 55:6). Claim the promise that earnest seekers never seek in vain. Remember, too, that the life of the young is as uncertain as that of the old. Today’s Headline: “Fatal Crash! Youths fight for life!” The strength and vigour of youth is no security against the speedy approaches of death. Now is the only moment of which you are sure. The Gate of Grace, open today, may be shut forever tomorrow. “Every present opportunity for the soul is worth worlds” (Bridges).
Thought: “There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.”
Prayer: Thank you for loving me and seeking me that I might find and love Thee.