What is Your Standard?

 

January 15, 2026

The Standard

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 6:58
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There is a precious old song that has been ringing in my mind and bringing back many memories. My mother used to sing it when I was a child.

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life.

Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.¹

Of course, the song is about the Word of God, the Bible. And nothing could better describe the blessing of that precious book. They are indeed wonderful words of life! I have a friend who is so very frail that it just seems a miracle that she lives on, but she has a secret: She draws her life and strength from reading God’s Word. When she feels her strength is failing, she takes her Bible and gets alone and reads on and on until some verse gives her fresh courage, and some promise gives her faith to hold on. So, day by day she literally finds life in God’s Word, the wonderful words of life.

And I am going to say that I do the same. I can understand this, because it was through the reading of the Bible to me that I had life and strength restored when I was a hopeless invalid for years. That was years ago, but it’s still the same today. If I get down in spirit or tired or the Enemy tries to discourage me or my strength fails, I find strength and blessing in the Word of God.

If only those people who are so troubled and discouraged and defeated could realize that in the Bible they will find the help and comfort they need, what a different world this would be. How many problems would be solved! And if our nation would go back to the faith of our fathers in the Bible and live by its standards, what a difference there would be now in these crisis times also.

I’m reminded me of a story I heard about a llama that had been shipped to this country to a zoo. But upon arrival at a certain station, the agent at the freight depot was questioned about where the animal was being shipped. He responded, “Well, she don’t know where she’s goin’; she done chawed her tag!” Well, I think society has done the same, and people don’t know where they’re going. There’s so much confusion and contention, and people are so divided in opinion because there is no definite standard.

I wish it were possible for me to tell you of the lives I have known that have been utterly transformed by reading God’s Word. Some of them were raised to the greatest heights from the lowest depths. Indeed, there is life and power in the Word of God!

Some of you who are reading this right now know this, yet you neglect to read the Bible. And you wonder why you get down in spirit and so lacking in Christian graces and lose patience. Everything else in your life is given time and considered more important, and just a few ragged minutes are given to reading the Bible that would have made the day beautiful and would have made the problems so much easier to face.

Nations, as well as individuals, have to have a standard by which to live. The question is: What is right, what is wrong? There must be a standard. There has to be a foundation of truth.

I was in a Christian home some time ago when the mother started excusing the actions of her teens, and said, “But you know how young people are today. And the standards are so different today, aren’t they, Mrs. Berg?” Well, it was a question and so I answered it. “No,” I said, “they are not different for a Christian or for a Christian home. The standard is the Bible for Christians, and that has never changed.”

Yes, there must be a standard, and this is what God has given us in His Word. If you don’t know what to do, if you can’t decide what’s right, go to your Bible. It makes every path plain. The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the path of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its history is true, its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be blessed.

It contains light to direct you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s comfort, the soldier’s sword, the Christian’s character. Therein heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is the subject and the glory of God its end.

Please fill your memory with it! Let it rule your heart and guide your feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth and health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is established forever. If you are troubled today, read your Bible and claim a promise. Put your finger upon the promise and say, “Lord, You are no respecter of persons; this promise is for me.” Read on and on until you find in His Word the truth that satisfies the hunger of your heart. God means it for you.

God bless you. He’s still on the throne and He answers prayer.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor January 2026. Read by Debra Lee.

¹ “Wonderful Words of Life,” by Philip P. Bliss, 1874