Things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:3,4 ESV)
History and Love
One of my fondest memories is of my grandfather telling the story of his adventures during World War II. From the laughter of galley shenanigans to the terror of approaching Pacific Island beaches in the dead of night, he told me history, and it was not dull. He also told me about the kinds of bushes he had grown successfully. And it was not dull. He also told me of his office work, he called it, “pushing pencils.” And it was not dull.
Some of his stories were obviously more thrilling than others. Some of his stories were obviously more useful than others. Some of his stories were more understandable than others. But his stories were never dull.
Because the stories were about a man I loved. The stories were told by a man who loved me. The stories were usually, just because of the relationship between us, about love.
This Psalm also declares that the study of history is not dull. Because the stories of his history were stories of His God.
My love of Scotland drives my appreciation for Robert Burns. My growing (slowly) love of poetry fuels my interest in Burns’ writings. My love for my civilization pushes me to share his work with my community.
Of course, the Psalmist is talking about an even richer history than Scotland’s. He is talking about the history we find in Scripture. And that history, more than any other history, is about love. That history is written through love. That history is written for love.
Because that history is all about Jesus. Every book of the Bible… every chapter of every book… every verse of every chapter… is all about Jesus.
His love is on every page.
Take the love God grants us.