(Octavius Winslow, “The Precious Things of God“) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
The Word of God must ever be transcendently precious to the believer. The Bible is, from its commencement to its close, a record of the Lord Jesus. Around Jesus the divine and glorious Word centers; all its wondrous types, prophecies and facts gather.
His Promise and Foreshadowing,
holy Incarnation, Nativity and Baptism,
Obedience and Passion,
His Death, Burial and Resurrection,
Ascension to Heaven,
Second coming to judge the world–
are the grand and touching,
the sublime and tender,
priceless and precious
truths interwoven with the whole texture of the Bible, to which the Two Witnesses of Revelation, the Old and the New Testaments bear their harmonious and solemn testimony.
Beloved, let this be the one and chief object in your study of the Bible–the knowledge of Jesus!
The Bible is not a history, a book of science or a poem–it is a record of Christ. Study it to know more of Him–His nature, His love, His work. With the magnanimous Paul, “count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.” Then will God’s Word become increasingly precious to your soul, and its truths unfold.
In every page you will:
trace the history of Jesus,
see the glory of Jesus,
admire the work of Jesus,
learn the love of Jesus, and
hear the voice of Jesus!
Oh, what is the Bible to us apart from its revelation of a Savior!
Is there not great danger . . .
of studying it merely intellectually and scientifically,
–blind to its true value, and without any desire to know . . .
that precious Savior who died for sinners,
Divine Redeemer who purchased the ransom of His Church with His own blood;
Friend who loves us;
Brother who sympathizes with us,
enthroned High Priest who intercedes for us within the veil?
Do we study the “Word of Christ” spiritually and honestly–as those whose souls hunger and thirst for this, the bread and water of life?
Do we search it diligently and earnestly as for hidden treasure–treasure beyond all price?
Can we say with David, “O how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day!”
Do we:
read it with a child-like mind,
receive it with a believing heart,
bow to its teaching with reverence of soul, and
receive its decisions in all questions of faith and practice as decisive and ultimate?
In a word, do we search the Scriptures humbly, prayerfully, depending upon the guidance of the Spirit–to find Jesus in them?
Of these Scriptures He is . . .
Alpha and the Omega,
the substance,
sweetness,
glory,
the one, precious, all absorbing theme!
Yes, Lord! Your word is precious to our souls, because it reveals to us Your glory, and tells us of Your love!