Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. In seeking the Lord — I. KEEP TWO THINGS PERPETUALLY IN VIEW — HIS TRUTH AND THE INFLUENCES OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Without His truth we can have no rule, and without the influences of His Holy Spirit we can have no disposition to prize the right rule: both are absolutely necessary. II. Under the influence of the Divine Spirit we shall invariably SEEK GOD AS A GOD OF MERCY. III. AS A GOD OF PEACE. IV. AS A KING. V. AS A GUIDE. VI. AS A PORTION. Now let me apply my subject. 1. There are some of you who do not seek the Lord — you can live without Him perfectly well. 2. There are others who seek the Lord, and perhaps you wonder why you do not find Him. Now, examine yourselves; is there not a great deal of hypocrisy, of deceit, in you? 3. There are others who seek Him, and seek Him honestly, and who think they do not find Him, when in reality they do find Him. They do not find Him in the consolation which they seem to need; but they find Him in principle — they find Him in driving guilt from the conscience, they find Him in enabling them to triumph over the tyranny of sin. 4. There are others who rejoice in the God of their salvation, who can say, "I know that I have sought and found the Lord; my Saviour is in me the hope of glory. I cannot but rejoice in Him at the present moment." Rejoice with trembling. Remember, you have many and mighty enemies within and without. (W. Howels.) Parallel Verses KJV: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.WEB: I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. |
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