Psalm
19 reminds me of the innocence of childhood in summertime. That was
a time of freedom and enjoying nature. Long days and warm nights
meant we were outside with the
activities of the season. Lying in a sleeping bag at night, or on a
sandy beach, we could not help to observe the sky. This psalm of
David speaks to that wide-eyed child. “The
heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His
hands.”
A child does not need a book on theology to ponder the existence of
God while staring at the stars. He continues, “Day
after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display
knowledge“.
In the mountains, at the lake or on a rooftop, the same message is
spelled out, “There
is no speech or language where their voice is not heard…
their
words to the ends of the world“.
God has painted a picture for all to see, all to search and all to
feel. Isn’t it sad that we take so little time in adulthood to
observe the heavens? I wonder how many will shut off the
distractions of their electronics this summer to notice the
workmanship in God’s creation. Do you see anything random?
The
psalm pictures the sun breaking at dawn on the new day with radiance,
“like
a bridegroom coming forth from his chambers“,
and excitement “like
a champion rejoicing”
before his race. Its course is set and unalterable. “It
rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat“.
The sun means light and life, renewed every morning. The psalm
links the design of creation to God’s Word. “The
law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the
Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
I have to laugh when someone thinks I possess any wisdom of my own
when I relate my simple understanding of the infinite wisdom of God’s
Word. To all who truly search, “The
commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes“.
So much of today’s culture begins with first rejecting God’s
truth. When you begin with error, your solution will always be
incorrect. The solutions of the world lead to empty short term
gratification. “The
precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart“.
Do you have any real joy in your life?
The
psalm ends with the value of the truths found in scripture. “The
ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous“.
God has no political agenda. Man tends to add to or take away or
water-down anything offensive, but God’s Word is brutally direct.
Read it for yourself. God will teach you personally. David says,
“They
are more precious than gold… they are sweeter than honey… By them
is your servant warned“.
You can ignore road signs and speed limits, but most likely you will
experience troubles as a result. He adds that heeding God’s truth
can “Keep
your servant also from willful sins“.
Most people have a built-in rebellion against being told what to do
without explanation. Parents that can give no other reason than
“because I said so” often have kids that resist their authority.
God frequently tells us both the reason and the results of actions.
He concludes with prayer that he would be able to align his life with
God’s truths. “May
the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in
your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Are you too sophisticated to consider God’s wisdom? 1
Corinthians chapter 1 helped me reconsider my understanding.
“For
the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… But we preach
Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to
Gentiles… For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength“.
The more I read God’s Word, the more certain I am of its
superiority to man’s wisdom.