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THE KING’S BUSINESS
including Consideration, Meditation and Application. (c) But it is perhaps necessary and important to look still more'closely at this subject of personal Bible study and medita tion along Scriptural lines. (1) We must search the Scriptures (John 5:39). The truth of the Bible is not always or neces sarily found on the surface, and we must, therefore, get below and “search” to the utmost of our power. (2) Then will come meditation (Psalm 1:2). The Scrips ture, haying been searched, will necessar ily be" applied to our own life, and medi tation has been well defined as “attention with intention,” emphasizing the reality and practical power of the thought we derive from the Bible. (3) Then will fol low the need of comparison (1 Cor. 2:13). Scripture will be compared with Scripture and we shall be enabled to see from time to time the variety, balance, fulness and completeness of the spiritual teaching. (d) Descending still further into prac tical details of this essential method of Bible study, the following points, call for special attention. (1) It must be daity, whether in the morning or in the evening, or at night. The Bible must be to-the soul what food is to the body. “I have esteemed Thy words more than my neces sary food.” (2) It must be diligent. There must be no mere dreaming, musing over Scripture, but a thorough consideration and search in order to obtain “light and leading.” (3) It must be direct. No sec ond-hand messages will do, and however much we may value and rightly value the teaching of others, we must first and fore most have our messages direct from God Himself and continually ask what Scrip ture says to us apart from others. (4) It must be definite. The purpose of this method of study is severely practical and is intended to affect and transform our life. Whether, therefore, we are faced with a counsel or a promise or a warning or an encouragement or an example, we must seek to make it our own and see that it has its right influence upon our life.
methods of study which for the most part are common to all books, hut it is important to remember that, as the Bible is in some respects unlike other books, it has to be studied accordingly. We cannot treat the Bible merely as any other book, because with its similarities, it is and claims to be, different. It claims to be inspired and, therefore, the true way is to treat it as such. This will at once show its unique ness. Other books for the most part are content to provide knowledge, but the Bible goes beyond knowledge and calls for obedi ence." We are thus reminded that infor mation alone is not sufficient; we must go forward to meditation. How, then, are we to, study the Bible along this 'special line? . (a) Each one must ask himself the question: “What does the Bible say to me?” This is the special point of Psalm 119:11. “Thy Word have I hid within my . heart that I might not sin against Thee.” One constant and real danger in the life of the believer is that of reading the Bible for others. Preachers are constantly think ing of their sermons, and teachers of their classes, and in so fl°'nS they fail in the primary requirement, the application of the Bible to our o*n soul. It is imperative that we should constantly keep in mind this thought of the personal message of the Bible to the soul and say, “What saith my Lord unto His servant?” “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS (b) In order that this may be so, the Bible requires three things from every true reader and student: attention, intention and retention. The mind must first give thought to what the Bible contains by means of the closest possible attention. Then the will must put into practice what the mind has learned, in order that there may be practical results. And, meanwhile, the memory must keep in mind what is being taught, so that the Bible may be the stand ard of living day by day. Thus, we may sum up the requirements once more as
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