Articles
Scripture Students
“He who gives attention to the word shall find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
(Proverbs 16:20)
The Library of Congress claims to have over 21 million books and over 61 million manuscripts. Overall, it has more than 138 million things to look at. Such numbers are mind-numbing! I wonder if Solomon had ever envisioned such staggering numbers when he said, “the writing of many books is endless” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). No kidding! Even if one could read a book a day, it would still take…well, more time than a person has in a lifetime. No wonder Solomon goes on to say, “and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” I must admit that I grew a little tired just thinking about all those books (let alone trying to read them).
Despite the millions of things we could read, there is only one book that we must read: the word of God. Why? Consider these reasons:
Only God’s word provides what is good in this life. The philosophies of men are flawed. These so-called “self-help” books frequently provide advice that leaves God out. In addition, they often lead people away from God, not to Him. The Bible provides the only perfect instruction on how one should live. When God gave His direction to the Israelites, Moses said quite directly: “So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us” (Deuteronomy 6:24-25; see also 10:12-13). Did you notice that he said that this is for “our good”? That is the same word used in our proverb. The one who pays attention to the word shall “find good.” Do you want your life to be filled with good? Then put down that self-help book and pick up The Book (and follow its direction). David said: “Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me” (Ps. 119:133).
Only God’s word provides what is good for eternity. Man may make elaborate claims on what happens after death. Some may see it like the Sadducees did (there is no afterlife – Matthew 22:23). Modern Hindu’s believe that you will be reincarnated into something else (something better if you lived well, something worse if you didn’t). The fact is men are clueless about what happens after death. Again, Solomon was right when he said “and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot discover” (Ecclesiastes 8:17). If we want to know what happens next (I do, don’t you?), there is only one place we can get the true answer: God’s word. The Bible teaches that there will be an afterlife and that every person (literally) will go to eternal life or eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46). Eternal life is clearly what is “good.” Be a Scripture student (and follower), and eternal good awaits (see Revelation 21:1-4).
Only God’s word shows how we can be blessed. The word “blessed” is generally translated as “happy,” but such is too shallow a definition. It has the sense of “approved of God.” We’re blessed because we know that God is pleased with our lives. Certainly, that makes us happy, so that is where the word fits in. There is a genuine joy when we know we are doing what God wants (Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:5; James 1:21-22). Note the words of the Psalmist: “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed your precepts” (Psalm 119:98-100). “Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and whom You teach out of Your law” (Psalm 94:12).
Only God’s word shows where we should put our trust. There is inherent danger in putting trust in man (Psalm 118:8-9; 146:3) or even in self (Psalm 49:6; Proverbs 11:28). Mankind is imperfect and falls short in knowing what is truly important. The only logical choice is to follow what Scripture teaches: put your trust in God. “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood” (Psalm 40:4). “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5). Indeed, Solomon said it clearly: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26).
Be a Scripture student. There is no better use of one’s time. Only it can teach, guide and provide all the truly valuable information and direction you could ever want. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
