The Signs of the Times
June 26, 1901
Our Guide-book
When a question was brought to Christ, the answer was, “Have ye not read?” “What saith the Scriptures?” Christ could have answered every perplexing question brought to Him, but He did not do this. He directed His questioners to the great storehouse of knowledge. He knew that He could not always be with them in human form, and He desired to teach them to make the Word their dependence. “Search the Scriptures,” He said. He referred them to His own inspired Word, that when tempted by the enemy they might meet him as He had done, saying, “It is written.” Thus the enemy could be repulsed; for he has no power over the one who relies on the testimony of God's Word. ST June 26, 1901, par. 1
Of the Word of God the psalmist writes: “The entrance of Thy Word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” It is as a light shining in a dark place. As we search its pages, light enters the heart, illuminating the mind. By this light we see what we ought to be. ST June 26, 1901, par. 2
We see in the Word warnings and promises, with God behind them all. We are invited to search this Word for aid when brought into difficult places. If we do not consult the Guide-book at every step, inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? our words and actions will be tainted by selfishness. We shall forget God, and walk in paths He has not chosen for us. ST June 26, 1901, par. 3
God's Word is full of precious promises and helpful counsel. It is infallible; for God can not err. It has help for every circumstance and condition of life, and God looks on with sadness when His children turn from it to human aid. ST June 26, 1901, par. 4
As we receive physical strength from the food we eat, so we are to receive spiritual strength as we study the Word of God. It is as necessary that attention should be paid to the cry of the soul for spiritual food as that attention should be paid to the cry of a hungry child for temporal food. A neglect to supply the soul with the bread of life leaves it weak and strengthless, unable to do the will of God. The life of such a one is like the barren fig-tree, destitute of fruit. ST June 26, 1901, par. 5
He who converses with God thru the Scriptures will be ennobled and sanctified. As he reads the inspired record of the Saviour's love, his heart is melted in tenderness and contrition. He is filled with a desire to be like the Master, to live a life of loving service. ST June 26, 1901, par. 6
Great light shone forth from the patriarchs and prophets. Glorious things were spoken of Zion, the city of God. Thus the Lord designs that the light shall shine forth thru His followers today. If the saints of the Old Testament bore such a bright testimony of loyalty, should not we today, who have the accumulated light of centuries, arise and shine? The glory of the prophecies sheds light on our pathway. Type has met antitype in the death of God's Son. Christ has risen from the dead, proclaiming over the tomb, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He has sent His Spirit into our world to bring all things to our remembrance. By a miracle of His power He has preserved His written Word thru the ages. Shall we not, then, make this Word our constant study, learning from it God's purpose for us? ST June 26, 1901, par. 7
The Bereans were commended as being more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily. They did not search the Bible from curiosity, but that they might learn in regard to Christ. Daily they compared scripture with scripture, and as they searched, heavenly intelligences were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their hearts. ST June 26, 1901, par. 8
We are to open the Word of God with reverence, with a sincere desire to know the will of God concerning us. Then the heavenly angels will direct our search. God speaks to us out of His Word. We are in the audience-chamber of the Most High, in the very presence of God. Christ enters the heart. The Holy Spirit takes of the things of God and shows them to us. We see more clearly the greatness of God's love and the fulness of His salvation. We appreciate more fully His gracious design to make us partners in the heavenly firm. We are drawn into full sympathy with the plans of God. His secret is with us, and He shows us His covenant. ST June 26, 1901, par. 9
The truth is likened to treasure hid in a field, “the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field.” He desires to cultivate it, that he may obtain possession of its treasure. So we are to take the Word of God and search its pages, that we may find the treasures of truth. It is the Holy Spirit's office to direct and reward this labor. The searcher finds lodes of precious ore, and he sinks the shaft still deeper for still more valuable treasure. The gold-fields of earth are not so closely interlaced with veins of precious ore as are the fields of revelation with veins of truth that bring to view the unsearchable riches of God. ST June 26, 1901, par. 10
Mrs. E. G. White