Love for God’s Word by M. Randal

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 28, 1871

Love for God’s Word.

By M. Randal

WHAT a deep love did the psalmist have for the work of God! He exclaims in Ps. 119: 103, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth?” and in verse 97, “Oh! how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day.” Again, Ps. 19: 10–11, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. “He speaks much of God’s words, statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, and judgments, often referring to the law of God. He enjoyed great peace by obeying God’s law and declares, “Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119: 165. “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Prov. 3: 2. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” Isaiah 32: 17.

How exceedingly grieved the psalmist was to see mankind breaking God’s law. Thus he says: “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved because they kept not thy word.” Ps. 119: 53, 136, 158.

Have we, dear brethren and sisters, such a sincere love for our Father’s law, that we are earnestly striving to keep it, and grieve to see others trampling it under their feet utterly regardless of consequences? James 5: 20. “And he that winneth souls is wise.” Prov. 11: 30. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12: 3.

What great encouragement then to labor, and scatter the good seed by our publications. Shall we not earnestly labor to do our part in pushing forward the great work, and bear burdens, so that it may not rest so heavily upon the few. Come up to the help of the Lord, being fruitful in every good work, working while the day lasts, for the night cometh when no man can work. It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Rom. 13: 11; for yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. Let us be faithful. Jesus is soon coming to reward his faithful ones with immortality and eternal life.

“The saints then immortal, In glory shall reign; The bride with the Bridegroom, Forever remain.”

M. RANDAL.

Walworth Co., Wis.