Picking up a dictionary to read a definition for a word is a basic skill that most learn as a child in school. Sometimes within a dictionary, like Webster’s, there are images next to the words and the definitions to give a visual representation of the word. Then, there are those dictionaries that are called a “Pictorial Dictionary” or “Visual Dictionary.” These are intended especially to give visual representations for all or most of their words. So, let’s consider some entries for a Visual Dictionary of the Bible that we might ponder.
ADVERSITY. It would be difficult to choose a better picture next to “adversity” than that of Job. One reason may be due to the over-abundance of adversity that Job encountered—the loss of his flocks, servants, sons, daughters, health, etc. However, the overriding reason for Job’s photo to be next to “adversity” is how he responded to it—“‘The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (1:21-22).
BROTHER. There are hundreds of brothers in the Scriptures, but none would deserve to illustrate in our Visual Dictionary what a brother looks like more than Andrew. One who was originally a disciple of John and then went and “followed [Jesus] was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and…he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40-42).
COURAGE. While the Bible is replete with examples of courage, few actually have the word applied to them. When Jesus was crucified, Judas had betrayed Him, Peter had denied Him, and all the disciples had forsaken Him and fled. It was not popular to be a follower or friend of Jesus that day. That’s what makes this so remarkable. “Joseph of Arimathea…gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43).
DEVOUT. It was widely known among Christians “how much harm [Saul had] done to [the] saints in Jerusalem” and how he had “authority…to bind all who call” on the name of the Lord. Ananias knew this when the Lord came to him and sent him to this terrible persecutor—“Lord, I have heard from many about this man” (Acts 9:10-17). To save his own skin, Ananias could have declined, denied or disobeyed (those are “D” words, too). Instead, “Ananias, a devout man,” did what the Lord said, not regarding his own life, and went to Saul (22:12).
Now, make the application. How do you handle adversity? What kind of brother are you? How strong is your courage in serving the Lord? How devout are you to God?