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Reading: Psalm 119
ל Lamedh
(Verses 89-96)
Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless (NIV).*
Reflections on Art — composition by David Kitz
Reflection
One of my hobbies is art. I enjoy drawing. In recent years I have rediscovered my childhood love for pencil crayons. When creating any piece of art there, I find there is a delicate balance that needs to be reached. Anything I do can be improved. Early on in the process there is a lot of improving or refining needed, but eventually you reach a point where further tinkering becomes pointless. I aim for perfection, but perfection always seems illusive. At some point I need to say, “I’m done. This piece is finished.”
In today’s reading the psalmist reached that same conclusion. To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
We will never reach the limits of God’s holy word. There is always more to be discovered, to comprehend and apply. It is as the psalmist declares, “Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
St. Paul expresses the same thought. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33). Eternity gives us insufficient time to explore the wisdom of God. But let’s begin the quest; let’s take up the challenge. All of Psalm 119 can be viewed as a grand challenge to discover the wisdom and beauty of God’s word, His commands and precepts.
Let’s continue the journey. This glorious art—the divine art of God’s word—is without beginning or end.
Response: Father God, I love your word. I want to dig deeper in it and know you better thereby. You are a totally awesome God, far beyond my comprehension, but not beyond my appreciation. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you taken up the challenge of studying God’s word?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.
No matter how much I read and meditate on God’s Word, I pray that I will always hunger and thirst for more of it. Instead of reading about His Word, I want to dig deeper into His Word.
I love this piece of artwork. I believe your technique is called “stylized .” I just read Malachi 4: 2 in my devotions this morning, The Son of Rghteousness will rise with healing in his wngs. That’s what came to mind when I saw your sun rise. How fitting that both came together so well. God has amazing ways of teaching a spiritual truth with artwork.
Thanks, Diane. Art and nature are the creative handiwork of God.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging and commented:
Excellent reflection, indeed the depth of pure clean water points to Christ, to those who have an ear to hear… Blessings!!
I love this analogy, David. My husband often says there’s more to be done on a painting, but you’re never really done. I think some of the great artists felt the same. Even DaVinci and Michelangelo had unfiished work which the left behind. It still has value at any level. Your art gives hope through the promise of the rainbow. I wish that image hadn’t been tarnished so in the past few years.