“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3).
In Psalm 19 David describes the ways in which God reveals Himself and His Will to man. First, God has revealed Himself to man by general revelation through His creation. As the opening verses above show, God has shown His glory to man through the works which He has made. As we behold a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, it is revealed to us the Almighty God made these things (Psalm 19:4-6). We are reminded of the might of God throughout nature. Although our hearts go out and our prayers are lifted up to the victims of a tornado, hurricane, or tsunami, when such events occur, our hearts are filled with awe and fear as we consider the power of God to create such forces of nature.
The works of God’s creation speak continually that there is a God which made them: “Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:2). There is nowhere on earth where people are unable to hear God revealing Himself to them through the things which He has made: “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:3-4). The main question for me to consider is: “Am I listening to God revealing Himself to me through His creation?”
Psalm 19 also speaks about how God has revealed Himself to us through His special revelation which is found in the Scriptures. After describing how God has revealed Himself to man through His Creation found in nature, David now turns His attention to how God has made known His Will for mankind through His Word: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9). It is awesome to consider how God inspired 40 men to write the 66 books of the Bible over a 1500 year period without there being one contradiction in the pages of Scripture. Within the pages of God’s Word are contained the guidance we need to walk in a path which will lead to a blessed life: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Although God’s revealing Himself to mankind through both His Creation and His Word is a blessing He has given, we are encouraged to respond to this gift from God by eagerly pursuing God’s instructions for us: “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). God’s Word provides warnings of what not to do and guidance of what to do so that we may be blessed: “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression” (Psalm 19:11-12).
Today, I will rejoice that God has revealed Himself to me in both His Creation and through His Word. I will take time to contemplate and appreciate how and why He did this for me. I will welcome and desire His guidance in my life and strive to walk within the paths He has revealed for me to follow!
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).