At the gate of an eastern city there are generally to be found groups of people, either buying or selling, or simply talking together. Sometimes hundreds of people may be seen there, apparently for no other purpose except that the gate of the city is the usual place of concourse, or meeting.
This, no doubt, is why we read in Proverbs 1:20,21: “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates.”
The meaning of this is, we believe, that God desires that the words of wisdom be spread abroad as widely as possible, so that all may hear.
The words of wisdom are the words that urge men to make the wise choice, to believe the glad tidings of free forgiveness, and to turn to God for salvation while yet the opportunity lingers. This message is sent to you, whether you live in the East or the West; whether you are sitting near the gate of some city of the Orient, or standing on the corner of a street in one of the great cities on this side of the ocean. How have you treated this message from God to you?
The glad tidings do not come to you with flattering speech. They do not deceive you by telling you that you are a very good sort of person, and that all you need to do is to make a little more effort, and then all will be well between you and God.
On the contrary the gospel addresses you as a helpless sinner, and tells you that your only hope of salvation lies in a work you could never do yourself, and towards which you cannot make the smallest contribution.
What work is that? It is the work of redemption undertaken by the Lord Jesus and finished by Him upon the cross. This is the foundation on which you are invited to rest.
If you take Christ as your Saviour, all the merit of His finished work will be made good to you. On the ground of that work alone, God will receive you and make you His child.
Is not this good news? He, every one! Listen to Wisdom’s cry: “She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.... I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Proverbs 8:3,17.
ML-02/04/1979