Although the above subject has been so often referred to in this magazine yet it is felt that this series of papers would be incomplete without a few words on the great importance and value of the Word of God to the young Christian.
On all hands the effort of Satan is to discredit the Scriptures, because he knows well that if he can undermine the authority of the Word of God in the mind and heart of the Christian, the bulwark against his attacks no longer exists. “Hath God said,” was the subtle suggestion of the enemy in the Garden of Eden, and it is the same today. But our Lord Himself answered him by “It is written,” “It is said,” drawing all His replies as the dependent and obedient Man from the written Word. Christ always accredited and put His seal upon the Old Testament Scriptures, just as we have them, and this ought to be sufficient authority for all who acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior. And what a complete revelation of God’s mind we have! not only the Old Testament, but the New; indited by the Spirit through vessels chosen and fitted for the purpose.
What is especially needed for the young Christian is to meditate upon God’s Word in a spirit of prayer and dependence; allowing that Word to judge him, and learning more and more of the blessed Savior from it. It is the divinely given food, so absolutely necessary for the soul’s growth and sustainment. “Desire earnestly the sincere milk of the Word,” says the apostle Peter, “that ye may grow thereby.” One of the things which characterizes the godly man in Psa. 1 is that he “delights” in the law of the Lord, and he “meditates” in it day and night. So Joshua, when just about to fight the battles of the Lord, was exhorted to meditate in the book of the Law day and night. It is true that those who are necessarily very much occupied with the business of life may not be able to devote a length of time to the study of the Scripture, yet it is of all importance that such should fed upon the Word before the duties of the day commence, just as the Israelite was to gather the manna fresh every morning, before the sun waxed hot, for the sustenance of himself and his household. A few verses brought home by the Spirit of God to the heart, and meditated upon during the day, may have more power and blessing than whole chapters read over and then forgotten.
It is a great thing in reading Scripture to seek to learn from it, not to bring our own thoughts to it. We need also to be kept from the mere speculation on the Word of God, which is so rife in this our day. The prophet says, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.” Deep reverence for God’s Word as God’s Word, and a spirit of humble dependence on Him for light and teaching, alone can keep us from the imaginings of the mind and the foolish speculations into which we are liable to fall. There is very much to encourage in the words of the Lord, “If any man will (or desires to) do His (God’s) will he shall know of the doctrine.” If there be the earnest desire to do God’s will, if the eye be single, and if Christ and His glory be the only motive of the heart, then we can most assuredly count upon God for blessing and profit in the reading of His Word.
The more evil abounds, the greater the confusion in the professing Church, the more importance we should attach to the Scriptures. It was to “God and to the word of His grace” that the apostle commended the elders of the church at Ephesus, when addressing them for the last time. And the same apostle, in the last epistle he ever wrote, exhorted Timothy to “continue” in the things which he had learned; for “all scripture” is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, etc. Our God has not left us unprovided for in view of the perilous times of the last days, and the seductive power of Satan. No! He has given us through inspired men raised up and qualified for the purpose, a complete guide; so that the man of God is “complete, fully equipped” unto all good works.
Nothing can take the place of the Word of God itself. Therefore, we would say, especially to those who are young in the faith, read the Word itself, not merely good books or magazines, however valuable such may be in their place. Seek to feed upon the Word from day to day, in communion with the One who gave it, and to draw from it that source of strength and refreshment so much needed in going through the world with all the snares, trials, and difficulties which beset the path.