Selah

“A picture is worth a 1,000 words“, the saying goes. And worthy of our pause and consideration. However – there ARE those times that no words are needed, only the shake of our head in dismay. Example at hand, this fine (clearing throat) well dressed festive gentleman. Only ‘one’ word comes to mind. Naff. Meaning: unstylish, lacking fashion, appearing tasteless or unattractive. (DUDE!)

Perhaps a well focused, well timed, photograph of a brilliant sunset. Or that of rain drops bouncing on a sidewalk, so vivid you can hear the soft pat of the water in your mind.

Words. They help us to see pictures. Do we stop and strongly consider those as well? I am challenged when reading my Bible, that I not just read the words, but SEE what God wants me to see.

God’s word is FULL of imagery, not to mention exclamation marks, repeated phrases, and ‘GET THIS PEOPLE’ wording.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Paul, Eph. 3:16-21

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wants us to ‘see’ God’s love. It is WIDE, LONG, HIGH, and DEEP. His ability to do more than we merely ask or think is tremendous. Paul uses the word (don’t try to sound it out) ‘huperekperissou’, a Greek three word compound word, ‘super abundantly above’. This is known in today’s grammar as a superlative. An adverb or adjective used to indicate something to the highest degree.

Don’t pass these up. Pause when you see such description. The author wants YOU to see something, get something, hear something. Pick up also on the ‘however’ – ‘therefore’ – ‘now you’ – ‘again I say.’ May I suggest you pause and inter-act with the Bible. Ask God to show you, allow you to understand, ‘seeing’ what HE is bringing to your attention. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to hear the water as Jesus and the Disciples walk along the shore of Galilee, feel the turbulence of the boat when Jesus hushes the storm. May we all feel the rub of our heart when the words on the parchment speak of God’s sacrifice, commitment and love for us.
Phrases such as Isaiah’s poetic expression literally takes us there, doesn’t it “As high as the sky is above the earth are My ways higher than yours…” (55:9) Such words merit our ‘selah’, pausing. A musical term, it could be worded as ‘hang up your instrument’, take a breath. Much like when we are in a conversation, and we rattle off, it is said to us ‘take a breath…’ THIS is it. Take a breath, ponder God, God’s word, God’s goodness.

King David in the Psalms unquestionably holds up flash cards at us with his words. “Show me the way I should go… rescue me from my enemies … teach me to do Your will … lead me on level ground. (Ps. 143) Words, sensing another’s heart, cry, prayer, encouragement, joy.

His Word, ‘living and active…’ Interact. Pause ~ breathe ~ know ~ see.

In Him, DeDe (‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds’. – Heb. 10:24)

* If the translation you are using is difficult to understand, perhaps consider another, The New Living, The Message. Visit your local library, sit down with these, give’m a try. Find one you like, visit LightHouse Bible & Book in Hillsboro, tell Carl, DeDe sent you.