God speaks to people in His word. Here they have in clearer lines the revelation of His character, of His dealings with men, and the great work of redemption. Jesus said of the Scriptures, “They are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). If you would become acquainted with the Saviour, study the Holy Scriptures. Fill the whole heart with the words of God.
They are the living water, quenching your burning thirst. They are the living bread from heaven. As you meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, you shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity.
The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people. You should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for yourselves. If you allow others to do your thinking, you shall have crippled energies and contracted abilities.
The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual.
There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigour to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible.
If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.
Ellen White
But there is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.
Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it; fix the texts in your memory. Even while you are walking the streets you may meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind.
One cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study. Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture. There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such study will be richly repaid.
As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life.
Excerpts from Ellen White’s book Steps to Christ, chapter 10 “A Knowledge of God”. You can read it online, download it or order a free hard copy from ADC. Free audio version here.
Ellen Gould White (1827–1915) is the most translated woman writer in history, and the most translated American author of either gender. She was the author of forty books and more than five thousand periodical articles. In 2015, Smithsonian Magazine, the main publication of the Smithsonian Institution, named Ellen G. White among its “100 Most Influential Americans of All Time.”