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I. TO KNOW GOD REQUIRES THAT MEN SHOULD SEEK TO KNOW HIM. The know ledge clothe Most High is not instinctive and intuitive. Now, the world by wisdom knoweth not God. How strange that men should think to know God and religion without diligence, whilst they think not to know any human science or profession without application, and diligence, and exertion! Would to God that men were as wise for eternity as they are for time. It is, however, not merely necessary to give diligence in order to know God, we must "follow on" to know Him. The crowning grace of the Christian is constant perseverance. To him that overcometh, the promise of eternal life is made.

II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT AS IT IS HERE SO VIVIDLY PORTRAYED. "Then shall we know." God who cannot lie hath spoken this. The prophet adds two beautiful figures. The morning of the day is sure to come. The former and the latter rain will return in their seasons.

(Hugh Stowell, A. M.)

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KJV: Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

WEB: Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."