Picture Talk

By George Feldman

Our picture is symbolical in every sense the word. It does not depict any geographical location in particular, or any specific event in history. But the predominant mood is one of devastation and hopelessness, except for the hope offered from heaven. The war ravaged buildings silhouetted against the fires and billowing smoke of the city seem to characterize this 20th century with all its bloodshed and man's inhumanity to man. Peace is a scarce item.

In the foreground are the remains of a bridge destroyed beyond repair. We have heard talk about building bridges into the 21st century to make the country a better place to live, but no talk about seeking God's favor and wisdom to make it reality.

Looking at the picture again, a faint resemblance of the traditional cross is visible in the sky. Over the centuries much suffering and evil have been associated with this representation of the cross. We apologize for using it, but it is the only symbol recognized by people today. The Bible reveals that our Savior was crucified on a stake
(1 Pet. 2:24). All people are equal at the foot of the so-called cross. All are prostrated as sinners in need of personal salvation from sin. All need the gift of resurrection life for its power in life today and its full reality physically beyond the grave when God begins to raise the dead. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

As we view the destruction in the picture, surely one question that would cross the minds of many people would be: "Why doesn't God do something to change the awful world we live in?" Let's address that question with another question: If God intervened and gave the world peace and prosperity NOW, would the hearts of the majority of people be filled with gratitude, praise and thanksgiving to a loving and gracious God?

Last, but not least we see symbolically the nail-scarred hands of the Savior expanded in a loving and pleading gesture. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to usward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).