Prayer and Promises

The promise 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

— Matthew 4:4, NIV 

The testimony 

Thank God for the Bible; for it is the treasure-house of knowledge... Those who come to the searching of the sacred mine of truth with a humble and teachable spirit, will soon discover jewels of truth that will reward the earnest seeker. 

Many are following the traditions of men... They have been educated to believe falsehood, and they use every ingenious method to make it appear that the Bible supports them in their position of error, making falsehood appear to be truth. But the first work to be done by those who would know the truth, is to open the Bible with a determined purpose to conform to the requirements of the word of God, establishing their faith upon “It is written.” Make up your mind that your former theories must change if they are not in harmony with the doctrines of the Bible. You are called upon to put forth diligent effort to discover what is truth. This should not be thought a hard requirement; for men are called upon to toil for their temporal and earthly blessings, and it is not to be expected that we shall find the heavenly treasure unless we are willing to dig in the mines of truth, and exercise all our powers of mind and heart to understand. 

The holy oracles should be studied with humble hearts and earnest prayer, in order that we may bring the truth which we see plainly stated into our practical, every-day life. 

The word of God is to be our guide, not the opinions or ideas of men. Let those who would be truly sanctified search the word of God with patience, with prayer, and with humble contrition of soul. Let them remember that Jesus prayed. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” 

Christianity is simply living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We are to believe in, and live in, Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. We have faith in God when we believe His word; we trust and obey God when we keep His commandments; and we love God when we love His law. 

— The Review and Herald, March 25, 1902 

The response 

Thank God for the knowledge in the Bible. Search it’s sacred mine of truth with a humble and teachable spirit.

Establish your faith upon “It is written.” Open the Bible with a determined purpose to know the truth and conform to the requirements of the word of God.

Study the holy oracles with a humble heart and earnest prayer that you may bring the truth of the word into your practical, every-day life. 

Let the word of God be your guide. Search the word of God with patience, with prayer and with a humble contrition of soul.