By Alan Dean, retired Seventh-day Adventist pastor
The author of Hebrews writes with assurance and conviction that “the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). I wonder if the average Christian today has such a high regard for the Bible. Do we read and study it regularly as if it will give us power, knowledge, and wisdom for our day? Of all periods in history the prayerful study and meditation of the Bible is needed today more than ever.
The Center for Bible Engagement in 2021 conducted a study of 40,000 people ranging in age from 8 to 80. They discovered that reading the Bible at least four times a week resulted in significant positive behavior changes in all ages of readers.
The Apostle Paul wrote that “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning … that we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The Bible certainly has much wisdom that would be good for our country and its leaders today. It is said that George Washington stated, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” (The Influence of the Bible, Argentine Bible Society, 9/29/2017)
The influence of the Bible during the early decades of our country was quite remarkable. The majority of American statesmen then were Bible readers and Bible believers. Because of this democracy had a successful start. The early president John Quincy Adams was a fair example of his day. He recorded in his diary that it was his practice to read meditatively each morning a portion of Scriptures. He wrote “I speak as a man of the world to men of the world: Search the Scriptures!”
During the American Revolutionary War France decided to give support to the Colonies in their struggle for freedom. In response General Washington issued an order: “It has pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe to defend the cause of the United States by raising up a powerful friend … It becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging this Divine Goodness”. Throughout the changing fortunes of war and afterward, he never wavered in this trust in God.
Until well into the twentieth century the Congressional Record was filled with speeches abounding in biblical images. Scriptures exerted a mighty influence on the morality of the American people in the early years. The situation began to change after World War II. Massive assaults by evolutionists and higher critics have largely swept away the very foundation of integrity. Lacking the vital moral underpinnings of the Bible, millions now create their own morals of life. And Satan takes advantage of that.
So, I strongly encourage each of us to read the inspired Word of God and let it speak to us, and then to take heed to its promises for a “more abundant life” today (John 10:10) and eternal life for tomorrow.
