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The Word of God

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 3.

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The Word of God.

By A. S. Hutchins

How important that we study the word of God. It is not enough to hastily read its sacred pages, or carelessly hurry through it. We should prayerfully study it, labor to learn its requirements of us, and ponder well in our hearts its elevating and sanctifying truths. It should be our aim on reading the Holy Bible to be made the wiser and better each time we read it, and to manifest in our lives a growth in the knowledge of the truth.
By often applying to our hearts the principles of the word of God, our communion with him is greatly increased, our love of heavenly things is strengthened, our affections detached more and more from the world, and our influence for good greatly enlarged. Sin appears more and more heinous, and righteousness more and more to be desired.
Says David, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:11. How much sin we may avoid, and how many mistakes escape, by having our minds well disciplined from the word of God.
How often we meet with the youth who have but little or no mental discipline. Their reading matter is light, frothy, and poisonous. For the study of the word of God, or reading calculated to balance and educate the mind for future usefulness, or happiness, they have no relish. Their steps take hold on death. In merriment, frivolity, and sinful indulgences, they press on to the judgment of the great day. Oh! how the precious moments of short life are squandered and lost, forever lost.
But such may cleanse their ways. They may come into favor with God and redeem the time. Unspeakably blessed thought! “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Ps. 119:9. Oh! that we may seek God with the “whole heart,” and our future steps, our words, and life, be according to his word. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.