Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.

Attending public instruction recommended

I. The reasonableness of attending all the instituted means of our instruction. If God had never vouchsafed to men a positive revelation, we should have been obliged to feel after virtue if haply we might find it. And it is surprising to what lengths some have arrived without the help of that “grace which bringeth salvation.” But when it hath pleased God to erect a kingdom in the world, it is great ingratitude, a heinous contempt of God’s authority, an affront to His love, and so must be inexcusable folly so to neglect our own true interest.

II. What is imported in hearing. Scripture represents this as the sum of that duty and respect which God demandeth for Christ who is His Wisdom, and the great revealer of His will to mankind. Whatever is meant by hearing Christ, the Wisdom of the Father, it is enjoined and enforced with all the authority and obligatory power with which any Divine precept can be enforced. Hearing importeth a serious and attentive consideration, and a diligent application of the mind, to understand the important contents of the Divine message. We are to understand by hearing--

1. An attentive regard to instruction. The Wisdom of God hath the first right to be heard, and what He prescribeth, to be attended to.

2. Hearing signifies a submissive disposition. To hear is to turn at the reproofs of Wisdom, to tremble at the threatenings of God, to hope in His promises, and practise what He enjoineth.

3. Hearing Wisdom importeth an absolute unreserved obedience.

III. The proper dispositions of mind, and the manner of hearing and using all means.

1. It importeth a sense of our constant need of instruction, that we may be still making further progress in knowledge and in grace. If this be the temper of our minds, it will incline us to a daily attendance at the gates of Wisdom; that is, a daily use of the appointed means for our increase in knowledge and virtue.

2. A constant care and solicitude that the benefit of them may not be lost; and particularly a strict vigilance over our own spirits and our whole behaviour.

3. Patience, which is signified by waiting, is also needed. Our progress to religious knowledge and virtue is gradual. Patience is the character of a continuance in well-doing, as well as of enduring afflictions. Always endeavour with alacrity and vigour to use the means of our religious instruction and improvement. (J. Abernethy, M. A.)

Watchful diligence

I. The way to happiness is to hearken diligently to wisdom’s words.

1. We cannot of ourselves find out the way to true happiness.

2. No man can show it to us.

II. We must not only hear, but watch for wisdom. Omit no occasion of learning, and make the best possible use of every occasion.

III. We must not only watch for a while, we must wait long, if we would get wisdom. Give no place to idleness and slothfulness, lest ye become unteachable, and incapable of wisdom. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)

Waiting upon God

Profession without principle is worthless. He who is not an every-day Christian is no Christian at all.

I. The characteristics of an every-day Christian. They are--

1. Hearers. Many hear, and do not hear. Hearing implies profitable hearing. Many do not profit. They come to hear, but not to learn, or to practise. Some come fresh from the cares of the world. Others come with unclean hearts. If you would receive good by attending at the house of God, there must be a desire to profit; and with a lively faith.

2. They are watchers. This implies frequency, perseverance, self-denial, self-abasement, and a certain degree of anxiety.

3. They “wait at the posts of His doors.” That is, attend those places, and frequently attend them, where Christ is expected.

II. Such a man will never lose his reward.

1. He finds life. St. John says, “He that hath the Son hath life.” Finding Christ is finding life. Finding Iris implies pardon. With pardon we have peace.

2. The reward consists in the favour of God. This favour is enduring. It supports the sinner in the time of his trouble.

Lessons:

1. Though you may be a hearer, a watcher, a waiter upon Christ, you must expect your trials. Do not be surprised either at the number or the degree of your trials.

2. See that you come in the spirit of prayer and of faith. (H. Montagu Villiers, M. A.)

Waiting at Wisdom’s gates

The Bible seldom speaks, and certainly never its deepest, sweetest words, to those who always read it in a hurry. Nature can only tell her secrets to such as will sit still in her sacred temple, till their eyes lose the glare of earthly glory, and their ears are attuned to her voice. And shall revelation do what nature cannot? Never. The man who shall win the blessedness of hearing her must watch daily at her gates, and wait at the posts of her doors. (F. B. Meyer.)