Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. I. WHAT IT IS TO SEEK CHRIST EARLY. The expression is sometimes used for the duty of prayer, sometimes for the whole of religion. To seek Christ is to seek the true knowledge of Christ, and a saving interest in Him. It is to seek that He may be all that to us, and that we may be all that to Him, for which He is made known and proposed in the gospel. To seek early signifies carefully, earnestly, diligently. 1. We are to seek early with respect to the time of life, or in the younger part of our days. The greatest and most important, concern of all others is not to be put off to the busy time of life, that is incumbered with the cares and hurries of this world; nor to old age, that is enfeebled by decays and loaded with infirmities. It is never too soon to seek after Christ, but it may be too late. 2. We are to seek Him early with respect to the day of grace, or to our opportunities of seeking Him. Whenever God calls us by His Word or providence, we should be early and speedy in attending to those calls. 3. It is to seek Him early with respect to all other things, or above and before all thing else. This relates to the earnestness and fervour with which He is to be sought in the younger part of our days. It is to seek Him with the whole heart. II. WHAT PECULIAR ENCOURAGEMENTS THERE ARE TO SUCH AS SEEK CHRIST EARLY. 1. Early seeking is most pleasing to Him. 2. It is the ordinary course of Divine grace to be found of early seekers. 3. Such have fewer obstructions in seeking. 4. There are peculiar promises to such. (J. Guyse, D. D.) 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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