Proverbs 8:22 says, The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.  Solomon had been speaking about wisdom, but now we see that this wisdom comes from Christ and likewise refers to Him.  These next few verses refer to the eternal nature of Christ.  Verse twenty-three states, I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  Christ is eternal, without beginning or end, therefore He existed even before the earth existed.  We must accept this fact by faith if we are to put our faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-four says, When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  This tells us that Christ predates the oceans and the fountains.  Scientists today are always attempting to find evidence that there is or was water on other planets, but we are told that God brought forth the water.  Still, if evidence of water was found elsewhere, it would not change my understanding that God created everything.  Verse twenty-five adds, Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:  We hear the term older than the hills used to refer to someone who is getting very old, but Christ is indeed older than the hills and mountains.  Verse twenty-six declares, While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  Christ tells us that He existed before the earth itself existed.  Again, I may not fully understand everything about creation, but by faith I can accept the eternal nature of Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  This is a continuation of the discussion of the eternal nature of Christ.  He existed even before the heavens did.  As vast as the universe is, it is still God's creation.  Verse twenty-eight adds,  When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:  Then verse twenty-nine continues, When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:  These two verses continue to discuss creation, particularly the separation of the water from the land.  The way the world functions is not the result of an accident, but is according to God's plan.  Verse thirty says, Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;  This is a reference to the eternal nature of Christ.  He was with the heavenly Father at creation, because They and the Holy Spirit are One.  Verse thirty-one declares, Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.  Jesus said He rejoiced in the habitable pert of the world, and He delighted in the people.  Mankind was God's crowning creation, given life by His breath.  We too often fail to bring God delight though, because along with the breath life, He gave us free will to choose whether to obey Him or not.  Verse thirty-two states, Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.  Since God is the One Who created and sustains the world, we are called to listen to and obey His word.  Verse thirty-three continues, Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.  If we are to be wise, or live with wisdom guiding us, we will hear and obey the words of God.  As followers of Christ, I believe that God speaks to us continually through the Holy Spirit, if we are only listening.  Verse thirty-four states, Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  If we wish to be blessed, we will actively seek the will of God in our lives.  We are not to just sit by passively hoping God might speak to us.  We are to actively listen daily for God's word.  Verse thirty-five states, For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.  Though God calls all people to Him, not all believe, or find, Him.  Those who do are promised everlasting life, beginning at the time they accept Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-six warns, But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.  We can either accept Christ as our Savior and Lord and have forgiveness and restoration with God through Him, or we can reject Christ and go away into eternal punishment and separation from God.  Each individual must make this choice for himself or herself alone.