Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.–Psalm 119:11
When we talk about what is most important we better be careful. All too often we get things out of their proper order. However when I say that nothing is more important to the Christian than the Word of God, I do so without reservation. It is impossible for us to live as God desires if we neglect His Word. We must know it and obey it. Sadly many folks don’t seem to care. They go day after day without ever reading it. It’s no wonder that they fail to grow spiritually, resist temptation, cope with difficulties, etc. They are spiritually malnourished.
I can’t understand how a Christian could not love the Word of God. It is food for the soul, light for our path, a map to guide us, and a weapon against our enemy. It provides information, insight, and inspiration. We need that whether we think so or not. However, as great as the Bible is, it does you no good setting on a shelf gathering dust.
It would be good if every believer would study the Bible as does a teacher who is preparing a lesson or a pastor who studies in preparation for a sermon. The problem is that many do not see it as the treasure it is. That is a dangerous thing. Thomas Guthrie wrote, “If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any persons better than Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven – take alarm.”
A. W. Tozer gave us this wise advice: “Read it much, read it often, brood over it, think over it, meditate over it-meditate on the Word of God day and night. When you awake at night, think of a helpful verse. When you get up in the morning, no matter how you feel, think of a verse and make the Word of God the important element in your day. The Holy Ghost wrote the Word, and if you make much of the Word, he will make much of you. It is through the Word that He reveals Himself. Between those covers is a living Book. God wrote it and it is still vital and effective and alive. God is in this Book, the Holy Ghost is in this Book, and if you want to find Him, go into this Book.“
