In a cartoon strip, a typist asks an artist: “Why is a picture worth a thousand words?” The artist replies, “Hmm, how fast do you type?” “About 25 words per minute,” answers the typist. “That’s it! When I finish my drawing in 40 minutes . . . you would have already typed 1,000 words.” That’s funny, but (obviously) it’s not what the adage means. Rather, it refers to the idea that a complex concept can be conveyed with just a single, still image.
The Bible presents numerous “still images” to illustrate its wisdom: lamp/light (Psalm 119:105); hammer and fire (Jeremiah 23:29); sword (Hebrews 4:12); silver and gold (Psalm 119:72); food (Job 23:12); and milk (1 Peter 2:2). James used three metaphors to describe what God’s Word is and does. The Bible is God’s “true Word” (James 1:18), resonating with what Jesus taught earlier: “Your Word . . . is truth” (John 17:17). Reflecting perhaps on the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-15), James next spoke of “the word God has planted” (Luke 8:21; Luke 8:11). And finally, James likened the Bible to “a mirror” (James 1:23).
James also used three metaphors to describe the Bible’s role in our salvation. Using a word picture from nature, James said that God’s Word ”give[s] birth to us” (James 1:18). Our new life is everlasting because “it comes from the eternal, living word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). From the world of agriculture, the implanted word “has the power to save [our] souls” (James 1:21). God had made good His promise to write His Word deep within our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). And speaking aesthetically, God’s Word is the mirror showing us what we are, enabling us to correct the flaws it reveals (James 1:23-25).
God’s Word gives us a new life, and it helps us live it out. But we will have to “do what it says” (James 1:22,25).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 9:1-19
More:
What do these word pictures say about the Bible and what it does: lamp/light (Psalm 119:105); hammer and fire (Jeremiah 23:29); sword (Heb. 4:12); silver and gold (Psalm 119:72); food (Job 23:12); and milk (1 Peter 2:2)?
Next:
What is God’s Word telling you to do today?
jstabel on October 20, 2011 at 3:02 am
The WORD of God covers all spheres of life from natural to made things-it shows how comprehensive and unlimited the word of God is.
GChoo on October 20, 2011 at 8:23 am
Yes, we can count on the Word of God to live our lives. And when we really do, we will see the wonderful works He does in our lives.
I remember years ago when i was on a working trip in Indonesia. I was staying in a 5 stars hotel but apparently in the night something errie happened to me. That night, i had a colleague shared a room with me because she was frightened to be alone in her own room. She was asleep by the time i had finished my bath. After i switched off my lights and laid on my bed, my body couldn’t move, shout out nor open my eyes, in my mind there was this image of an evil looking mask moving up from the end of the bed onto my body. At that struggling moment, the Lord’s prayer came to my mind and i prayed in my mind. Almost instantly, i can feel the evil spirit was moving away from my body and when i stopped, it came back again. I kept saying the prayer until it left and my body was free to move. I got up right away and switched on my bedside light. I was really shaken but i felt peaceful because i realised that God’s Word is so powerful. Thankfully my colleague was sound asleep. I kept praying until i fell asleep and woke up the next morning safe and sound.
It was a frightening experience but it reaffirmed to me that i actually believe in a real and living God who is there to protect, guide and give me real peace when i am in trouble/danger. There are other experiences in my life that affirmed my trust in His Word and His promises. However, it is important to do as what K.T. said in James 1:22-25. Our God is REAL. Amen!