How powerful are WORDS? Visual art can capture scenes and moods, whether an epic war or a domestic still life. Music uses sound to capture emotions, and it runs the gamut from light comedy to epic drama. Art, music, dance, and even the art of cooking can convey emotions and some simple ideas.
But only WORDS can convey complex ideas. Visual art may accompany those words, and when it does, it may illustrate and elaborate on those words. But the words provide context, an explanation, that visual art cannot supply.
In philosophical terms, only words can convey a propositional statement.
Only words can explain, teach, and clarify details.
God is the MASTER ARTIST. He created music, painting, sculpture, photography, instruments, pigments, and tools of all kinds. Yet He chose WORDS to convey the deepest truths about Himself. He gave to music the noble purpose of worship. But it is the lyrics, the WORDS, that elevate some musical compositions above others to the status of worship music.
The Bible is history’s greatest collection of WORDS. It merits not only a lifetime of reading and study, but it deserves to be MEMORIZED.
The Bible contains the GREATEST WORDS ever written, and thus the GREATEST ART ever created.
Psalm 46 is a great place to begin.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth shakes and the mountains be cast into the sea. Though its waters roar and foam, though mountains quake before the sea’s swelling pride …. Cease striving [worrying/ fighting/ struggling] and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:1-3, 10.
God, thank You for giving us the Bible! Help us love it and read it and study it and memorize it every day of our lives. Make us devoted students of Your Word.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 