Psalm 19

Read the beautiful psalm -number 19, attributed to David.

First he draws our atention to the handiwork of God.

As he views the handiwork of God, he is overwhelmed with the marvels and grandeur of what he sees. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard...

I remember as a child learning the rhyme -red sky at night shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning... Variations on this theme are known around the world. In this sense, many people accept the statement that the heavens declare. In much more sophisticated ways, meteorologists look to the heavens to declare what a day will bring forth, and this information is fed as a daily diet to millions through the media.
But the psalmist has more in mind that weather forecasts. He speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God. His attitude is well summed up in the song –
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the works Thy hand hath made, I see the stars. I heard the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed... Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, How great Thou art; How great Thou art!...

His heart is hushed and humbled before God as a spirit of reverence and awe seizes him.
Now David's astronomy was very primitive. He knew nothing about proton-neutron reactions, or thermonuclear fires or hydrogen clouds and solar flares, radio waves or cosmic rays. But David simply realised that the stars were tireless in their testimony, proclaiming the work of the divine hand.

The whole created order, the mighty elements of nature render service and praise and testimony to their Maker. Psalm 148 says -praise Him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him you highest heavens...

The creative handiwork of God has become a sort of unveiling of God, yet David is well aware that even the greatness of this revelation is only but part of the total revelation of God. Creation testifies of His sovereignty and glory but not his grace; it tells of his work but not his will. It tells of His power but not of His provision of salvation. Creation brings us closer to God but only that more of Him might be learnt. And that leads David into the second part of the Psalm.

Here we see the handwriting of God.

Verses 7-11 God has revealed Himself through his handwriting, through the Bible.
God is revealed not only in the skies but also in the Scriptures.
He has revealed Himself not only in what He wrought but is what He has written.
This message from heaven in detailed form fills in many of the blanks left by the creation revelation.
It is interesting to note all the different titles by which David refers to the Bible.

He says -The law of the Lord is perfect … The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy... The precepts of the Lord are right… The commands of the Lord are radiant... The ordinances of the Lord are pure and altogether righteous...

It is also interesting to note the benefits the Word provides –

The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul - Do you want you want your soul revived? Then read the law of the Lord. The word translated revived is also rendered converted and literally means bringing back to God. God’s Word revives the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple. Do you want to be wise? Then read the statutes of the Lord. We may be knowledgeable, but do we have wisdom? Knowledge is the amassing of facts – wisdom is knowing what on earth to do with what we’ve amassed. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. Do you want joy in your heart? Of course you do –then read the precepts of the Lord. God’s Word cheers us and bring us joy.

The commands of the Lord are radiant giving light to the eyes. Do you want light, guidance, and direction for your life – then read the commands of the Lord. That's where you find it!

Do you recall Psalm one, where the Psalmist tells us of the person who lives a godly life. He explains how he separates himself from the world of evil and then how he satisfies himself with the Word of God. He says – But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night… In Psalm 119 the psalmist asks – How can a young man keep his way pure? and answer -By living according to your word. He says – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you…

As you open you Bible each day, ask yourself –
Is there a promise for me to claim?
Is there a sin for me to shun or avoid?
Is there a blessing for me to enjoy?
Is there any truth I have never seen before about God or Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?
Can I turn my reading into a prayer by paraphrasing its words?
Can I pick out a key verse that will motivate me through the day?

You see there are so many ways of satisfying ourselves in God’s Word.

It says in the book of Timothy -All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof; for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Let's make sure we are thoroughly furnished and equipped for all God has in store for us.