Bridges on Proverbs 8:17
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 8:17
 
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 34-36 
 

17.  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
 
Now behold the grace of this Divine Person to his loving children. None by nature are interested in it. (Romans 8:7.) But his free grace first implants love in their hearts, and then cheers them with the assurance of his own love. (1 John 4:19. John 14:21.) The first kindling of the flame is of him. We love, because we are drawn. (Jeremiah 31:3.) We seek, not by the impulse from within, but by the grace from above (Chapter 16:1. Psalm 119:32); and seeking, we find. (Isaiah 45:19. Jeremiah 29:13. Matthew 7:7, 8.) But it must be early seeking — the first desire and choice of the heart. (Chapter 23:26. Psalm 63:1. Hosea 5:15. Matthew 6:33.) It must be early in the day (Psalm 5:3; 119:147. Isaiah 26:9. Mark 1:35), the first-fruits of our time. Consecrate the whole to him. Take care that God is the first person we speak to; that we see his face first before any other; else will our lamp be untrimmed, our soul estranged from his presence, our heart unready for his service. Let it be the early breaking in of the day of grace (Job 8:5-7. Isaiah 55:6. 2 Corinthians 6:2) — the improvement of the first — who knows that they be not the only — opportunities of salvation? (Chapter 27:1. Hebrews 4:7.) Every present opportunity for the soul is worth worlds. Mercy is in it — grace and eternity are in it. But remember — the door of grace, that is opened to-day, may be shut to-morrow — for ever.
Again — this early seeking. Oh! let it be the early spring and morning of life (1 Kings 18:12. 2 Chronicles 34:3.) — when the eye is full of life, and the heart of gladness. Let it be “the kindness of youth” (Jeremiah 2:2) “the first love:” before it has been devoted to the world; before the hardening habits of sin have been formed and fixed. Is he not the greatest — the most desirable — the most satisfying good? Therefore, let him be to us — as he deserves to be — the first of the first — the best of the best.
Children! Here is a special encouragement for you, added to the general one. It can never be too early for you. Even now it is too late. God has claimed you from the moment that you passed from unconscious infancy to the dignity of a responsible being. The time spent, so long estranged from God, has been all too long. Early devotedness saves from many follies and mistakes, retracing of steps, and the after misery of being “made to possess the iniquities of our youth.” (Job 13:26.) Early satisfaction — the pure fruit of early seeking — (for they that thus seek shall find) will be the joy of your whole life (Psalm 90:14, with verses 34, 35) — the dawn of your blessed eternity. Remember — the bud and bloom of life is specially acceptable to God (Hosea 11:1-4); specially honoured by him. (1 Samuel 2:18; 3:19. Psalm 92:12-15.) But is it reasonable — nay — is it not a most abasing thought — to offer the flower of youth to Satan; and, when you have well worn yourself out in his service, to reserve only the dregs and sweepings of life for your Savior? (Malachi 1:8.) Every day you lose a world of happiness; you bind a chain of sin; you take a step to hell. Come, then, and answer the call that is drawing you to Him, who is worthy of all. (1 Samuel 3:9. Psalm 32:8. Jeremiah 3:4.) Never will you regret that you have come too soon. But many have been the sorrowing cries — Lord, ‘I have loved thee too late!’ (Matthew 25:6-12. Luke 13:24, 25.) Come, then, by his help, and in dependence on his grace make him your first, your present choice. Lay claim by faith to this promise to early seekers, and you shall find.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romans 8:7
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {the carnal...: Gr. the minding of the flesh}
 
 
1 John 4:19
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
 
John 14:21
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
 
 
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. {of...: Heb. from afar} {with lovingkindness...: have I extended lovingkindness unto thee}
 
 
Proverbs 16:1
1 ¶ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. {preparations: or, disposings}
 
Psalm 119:32
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
 
 
Isaiah 45:19
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
 
Jeremiah 29:13
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
 
Matthew 7:7, 8
7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
 
 
Proverbs 23:26
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
 
Psalm 63:1
1 ¶ {A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.} O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; {thirsty: Heb. weary} {where...: without water}
 
Hosea 5:15
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. {acknowledge...: Heb. be guilty}
 
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
 
Psalm 5:3
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 
Psalm 119:147
147 ¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
 
Isaiah 26:9
9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
 
Mark 1:35
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
 
 
Job 8:5-7
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
 
Isaiah 55:6
6 ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
 
2 Corinthians 6:2
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
 
 
Proverbs 27:1
1 ¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. {to...: Heb. to morrow day}
 
Hebrews 4:7
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
 
 
1 Kings 18:12
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
 
2 Chronicles 34:3
3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
 
 
Jeremiah 2:2
2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. {thee: or, for thy sake}
 
 
Job 13:26
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
 
 
Psalm 90:14
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
 
with
Proverbs 8:34, 35
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. {obtain: Heb. bring forth}
 
 
Hosea 11:1-4
1 ¶ When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. {take off: Heb. lift up}
 
 
1 Samuel 2:18
18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
 
1 Samuel 3:19
19 ¶ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
 
Psalm 92:12-15
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; {flourishing: Heb. green} 15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
 
 
Malachi 1:8
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. {for: Heb. to}
 
 
1 Samuel 3:9
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
 
Psalm 32:8
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. {guide...: Heb. counsel thee, mine eye shall be upon thee}
 
Jeremiah 3:4
4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?
 
 
Matthew 25:6-12
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. {gone out: or, going out} 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
 
Luke 13:24, 25
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: