Understanding and Knowing God

Miles Smith was passionate about the Word of God. Because of this passion and his mastery of ancient languages, he was among the elect group of scholars chosen to translate the King James Bible. Smith was assigned to be part of “The Oxford Company,” which translated the Prophets, beginning with Isaiah and continuing through Malachi.

Once the preliminary work was finished by all the groups, Smith was part of a small number who edited the entire Bible. He also was asked to write the preface.

In “The Translators to the Readers,” Smith described how he knew that the Bible was divinely inspired: “The original thereof being from heaven, not from earth; the author being God, not man.” After many years of study, he was more convinced than ever that it was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Smith knew the rich blessings available to those who love God’s Word. In a passage which Smith helped to translate, Jeremiah wrote, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.”

Smith echoed this by writing, “Happy is the man that delighteth in the Scripture, and thrice happy that meditateth in it day and night.”

This is a great reminder of how important it is that we delight in God’s Word. Do not just read the Bible, but also think about it and meditate on it. Allow these divinely inspired words to guide your life. Make it your prayer to glory in God and His Word, and always make your boast in Him.