THE WORD OF GOD; HOW UNDERSTOOD AND RECEIVED.
By Wm. Covert
The Bible is a volume of life given to man by the Spirit of God. In speaking of its exhaustless benefit, David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. The Book of which God is the Author makes known to us the origin and destiny of the human race. It has been given to man since transgression has entered our world, and is designed to be a guide, leading out of the darkness of sin and death into the light of righteousness and life. The sweetest of all hours in the believer’s life are those spent in the study of its pages. David was but presenting the happy experience of the earnest seeker after truth, when he wrote, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Ps. 118:130. “How true!” exclaims the Christian as he reads this statement. He remembers how poor and miserable and blind he once was, when, with no hope, and without God in the world, he was led by the Spirit of God to search for comfort in the word. And yet, though the word is a lamp and a light, man must be in possession of eyes in order to receive the light. He that desires to see will therefore pray, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Ps. 119:18. He will not pray this because it is written in the word, but the word expresses the natural desire of the heart which desires to know God. To such an one the assurance is given that his prayer is answered. “For thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” Ps. 18:28. Or, as stated elsewhere, “By his light I walked through darkness.” Job 29:3. Paul sets forth the manner in which the word of God was understood and received by those who heard him preach. He says:— “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thess. 2:13. That person who believes the Scriptures to be indeed the word of God, and who understands them to be God’s word spoken to him, is thereby placed in vital touch with the mind of God. Such an one will be enabled to understand that which is spoken, because the word received itself gives understanding. It was through rejecting the word of God and receiving in its stead the word of Satan that the mind of man was darkened. (See Gen. 3:4-6.) This was a step from light and life into darkness and death. It was unbelief that caused this deadly leap into the blackness of night. That word must again enter the mind in order that man be reclaimed. The word can be received only through faith. As stated by the apostle, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Then with faith it is possible to please God. Had Adam and Eve continued to believe, after they were placed in charge of God’s works in the earth, their understanding never could have been darkened. But unbelief became the vehicle of sin and death. Therefore faith in God’s word must become the means of restoring that which man has lost. In making known this truth the apostle says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And again, “We have access by faith into this grace.” A simple, yielding trust brings peace and rest. The prophet, in speaking of how the word is received and understood, says: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer. 15:16. It was not until the words were eaten that the joy was experienced. But the eating came through believing what God spake. The prophet’s mind was made bare of all unbelief, and the word of God was received. Thus God’s word entered the mind. The words, being directly from God, were an impartation of the infinite mind. They gave light and understanding. They brought joy and peace to the heart because by them the apostle was made to understand that love which he says passeth understanding. The receiving of the word through living faith is the avenue by which Christ enters the heart. As all the word comes to us through Christ, so Christ comes to us through the word. As expressed by the apostle, “We have received . . . the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Cor. 2:12. Of these things we speak and understand through the wisdom which is taught by the Holy Ghost. But only so far as the living word dwells in the mind can this be done. 1 Cor. 2:13. The natural or unconverted man receives not the things of God. To him they are foolishness, because with a darkened mind he can not discern them. Verse 14. But as the entrance of the word gives light and understanding, it is important that the word be studied daily, that it may have complete possession of the mind and control all the actions of life. The understanding which the word imparts to the believer enlarges his ability to comprehend and enjoy more and more of the richness of God’s grace. Through the continual study of the Scriptures, the mind keeps in constant touch with that wisdom which magnifies and strengthens all the perceptions. This gives a capacity and a richness to the mind that makes life a continual drinking in of the word, and hence of the light and life of God.