SOS VERSES November 16, 2015
Why do we endeavor to memorize the Scriptures together, and why do we feature an “SOS verse” in our worship service every week? Here are a few reasons.
The Bible is the most stabilizing, clarifying, life-changing force God has given us. When the Spirit wields the word, it’s a devastating weapon against unbelief, fear, pride, lust, greed, anger, laziness, self-pity, foolishness, immaturity, and every other spiritual ill in our lives. That’s the meaning of the acronym SOS—the “Sword of the Spirit.” Have you ever met anyone who simultaneously quotes whole chapters of the Bible and yet lives in the grip of some besetting sin? Me neither. In other words, Christians thrive on the word of God and die for lack of it.
Imagine you were feeling ill and, after a checkup, the doctor said, “I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that you are fatally sick. The good news is that your health will return, if you will eat the foods on this list.” No doubt, you would follow his advice and change your diet. Your life depends on it!
Well, nothing has changed in the 3,000 years since Moses wrote: “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Dt. 8:3). Spiritual health is impossible apart from the spiritual nourishment of the Scriptures! Your elders would be poor physicians of the soul if we did not encourage you to apply this biblical prescription for spiritual wellness.
Plus, memorizing and quoting the SOS verse can be an engaging and uniting activity as a family and as a congregation. In our family, we’ve often made the SOS verse part of our family worship in the evening after dinner. As a church congregation, the SOS verse provides us with a moment of participation and connectedness in our worship services. It also says something to our guests about what we are passionate about as a church.
So what about you? Won’t you join us in feasting on the word of God each week as we memorize and meditate upon the SOS verse?