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Our Only Safeguard in Trial and Temptation, April 26
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
.
God has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Its
teachings have a vital bearing on our prosperity in all the relations of life. Even
in our temporal affairs it will be a wiser guide than any other counselor. Its divine
instruction is the only way to success. There is no social position, no phase of
human experience, for which the study of the Bible is not an essential preparation.
The Bible is the great standard of right and wrong, clearly defining sin and
holiness. Its living principles, running through our lives like threads of gold, are our
only safeguard in trial and temptation.
The Bible is a chart, showing us the waymarks of truth. Those who are ac-
quainted with this chart will be enabled to tread with certainty in the path of duty,
wherever they may be called to go.
The Bible contains a simple and complete system of theology and philosophy. It
is the book that makes us wise unto salvation. It tells us how to reach the abodes of
eternal happiness. It tells us of the love of God as shown in the plan of redemption,
imparting the knowledge essential for all—the knowledge of Christ. He is the Sent
of God; He is the Author of our salvation. But apart from the Word of God, we
could have no knowledge that such a person as the Lord Jesus ever visited our world,
nor any knowledge of His divinity, as indicated by His previous existence with the
Father.
The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed
for the common people. The great truths necessary for our salvation are made as
clear as noonday, and none will mistake and lose their way except those who follow
their own judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God.
The Word of God strikes at every wrong trait of character, molding the whole
man, internally and externally, abasing his pride and self-exaltation, leading him
to bring the Spirit of Christ into the smaller as well as the larger duties of life. It
teaches him to be unswerving in his allegiance to justice and purity, and at the same
time always to be kind and compassionate.
The appreciation of the Bible grows with its study. Whichever way the student
may turn, he will find displayed the infinite wisdom and love of God. To him who is
truly converted, the Word of God is the joy and consolation of the life. The Spirit of
God speaks to him, and his heart becomes like a watered garden (
The Signs of the
Times, June 25, 1902
).
The heart that is stored with the precious truths of God’s Word is fortified against
the temptations of Satan, against impure thoughts and unholy actions (
Youth’s
Instructor, July 28, 1892
).
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