Stay
Close to the Word of God
Steve W. Reeves
Their
numbers are approximately 3.2 million and yet there is a projected decrease of
2.5% for 2017. I am referring to the number of high school graduates in the
United States. In the coming weeks the familiar melody of “Pomp and
Circumstance” will be heard in small towns and large cities throughout our
nation. Tassels will be moved, caps tossed, diplomas awarded and tears shed. It
is a time to celebrate great accomplishment and contemplate an important
milestone in life’s journey.
On
several occasions I have been asked to address high school and college
graduates at their commencement exercises. In each setting I have encouraged
them to dream big dreams and put forth their best effort in life. The most
important advice I have to offer, however, is this, “Stay close to the Word of
God.”
Dr.
William Lyon Phelps (1865-1943) was a professor of English at Yale for 41
years. He was also a prolific writer and a popular speaker. He often said, “I thoroughly
believe in a university education…but I believe a knowledge of the Bible
without a college course is more valuable than a college course without the
Bible. Everyone who has a thorough knowledge of the Bible may truly be called
educated."
The
Bible stands unparalleled in its literary quality, historical reliability and
scientific evidence. For centuries it has provided the moral foundations for
marriage anf family life. Nations have been built on its precepts and collapsed
when those precepts have been abandoned. Why is this the case? Paul wrote in 2
Timothy 3:16-17,“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of
God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” It is no surprise that John
Quincy Adams, our nation’s 6th President said, “I speak as a man of
the world to men of the world; and I say to you, ‘Search the Scriptures!’ The
Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions
of human life.”
Congratulations
to all of our high school and university graduates. We rejoice in your
accomplishments and wish you well in every good endeavor. Above all we charge
you to “Stay close to the Word of God.”
