BELIEVER’S DAILY BUSINESS
Jack Davis
“Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors” – Proverbs 8:34.
“Hearing:” The writer in describing the man that is indeed blessed, one that is happy, fortunate, to be envied. We may find in the Lord, everyday delights. Some may think of them as duties, or deeds that seem to become drudgery. We do well to follow our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, of whom we read in type as wisdom personified in this Proverb. In verse 30 and 31, He is spoken of as being daily His Father’s delight, and of finding His delights with the sons of men. We are told to delight ourselves in the Lord; “and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” – Psalm 37:4.
The blessed man is one that listens attentively, gives the more earnest heed to Him that is wisdom personified. He is the one in whom God hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. We are richly blessed by esteeming whatever he sends forth as issue worthy of daily consumption.
“Watching daily:” This is not an occasional thing, but shows an attitude that is quite the opposite of ignoring or neglecting the words of this great salvation.
“Waiting:” We may enjoy time wisely spent “at His door post” instead of running around hither and thither tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We know valuable substance and sustenance is expected to exit. The man is describe opportunist whom dreads missing any chance of issue of importance.
Daily Battles
He that makes it his daily business to delight in the Lord, also encounters daily dangers. The enemy is on the job everyday, and he has his co-workers. “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. My enemies would daily swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. My enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many who fight against me, O thou most High” – Psalm 56:1-2.
In this Psalm the writer further states that his enemy wrest his words every day, marks his steps and waits for his soul, but he further states “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.”
There are many good and important reasons for daily prayer. We are under attack, and prayer is part of the way We fight the good fight of faith. The Christian warrior need be in communion with his commander. In times of prayer we may also get our running orders, for the steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.
There are many scriptures that urge us to daily prayer as well as a constant attitude of prayer. The words “cry and call” are often used to express prayer. Note, “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” – Psalm 86:3. “Mine eye moureth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee” – Psalm 88:9.
What’s on the agenda for today? Who knows? Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” Proverbs 27:1. “Go to now, ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that” – James 4:13-15.
There are days that begin like most any other day, but all of a sudden, BANG! What a change! The events of any given day may become highly unpredictable, and overwhelmingly so. Then there are days that seem a thousand days long, and we wonder if we will make it to the end. We have said, “What a difference a day makes.” We know the expression “Here today, gone tomorrow.”
We do well to live each day in preparation for that golden day break of a glorious morrow. The saints are known to cry, “How long, O Lord, how long.” He says to our longing hearts by the signs of the times, “Behold, I come quickly!” We’ll soon be gone, It won’t be long, and we’ll be leaving here. O, Glorious Hope!
Part 2 next issue
