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The Most Important Thing

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 9, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 15.

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The Most Important Thing

THIS is an age of intense activity. We all lead busy lives, and those who are engaged in the active service of God are pressed beyond those devoting their energies to worldly employment. So much must be done. So many calls come from every quarter. With many of us there are many services to attend, committee meetings to be held, important measures to be discussed.
This work is all necessary, but there is danger that we shall forget the personal relationship which we should sustain to the Saviour of mankind. We may forget God even while professedly working for him. We cannot trust our salvation to formal experience. Labors beyond measure will not make up for that vital connection which we must have with the Lord Jesus Christ. This connection can be maintained only by the study of his Word, by meditation, and by prayer. Let us not neglect these simple but very necessary means of keeping the connection unbroken. No matter how hard the pressure, let us take time for prayer. If the day is one of unusual trial and perplexing problems, we need to pray more. How many times Satan deceives us, leading us to believe that we can settle questions by discussion rather than by an appeal to the Source of all wisdom!
Unquestionably in our experience as a denomination we spend hours in discussion which should be spent in prayer and supplication. Many of our business gatherings would be spiritualized and vitalized and the decisions more likely prompted by wisdom from above, if more time were taken for Bible study and spiritual devotion.
The call of God to this people is a call to prayer, to meditation, to earnest personal Bible study. Studying the Bible to give to others is not enough. We must study it primarily in order that we may know what God would say to our own hearts. We ourselves must first come to the fountain and drink. Then our message inviting others to the fountain will go to their hearts with a conviction of personal experience and power. The keynote of victory in all our work is prayer to God.