God Revealed
07/20/08 AM
Text: Psalm 19:1-14
Introduction
When I have the occasion to facilitate a training class in leadership or management there will always be a portion of time given to the concept of communication. Effective communication is important, even vital, to successful leaders in any field of endeavor. There are many ways to ensure communication, the transfer of thoughts and ideas. I’m sure we’ve all heard the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words.” We may have also had someone say to us, as they try to convey their ideas to us, “do I need to spell it out for you?” (To which I reply: “apparently.”) In our lesson today we are going to learn how God has chosen to communicate to us and to the world through His creation and His Word. We will take our instruction from Psalm 19 as it was written by David.
I.God Revealed in Creation (vs. 1-4)
A.God’s glory proclaimed in the general revelation of creation v1
1.God is the creator. The Hebrew word for God the Creator, elohim, is used here as it was in Genesis 1.
a.God as creator of the heavens is established in Genesis 1:1 and as we “listen” we hear God’s glory (v1.)
1)Living here is San Diego, how many times have you gone to the beach in the evening and seen the many people gathered there to watch the sunset?
2)As they stand there gazing at the spectacle of light and shadow, they are witness to the heavens declaring “the glory of God.” And I’ve not met anyone who was not moved by its wonder and beauty.
b.The parallel line “their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” adds the truth that God has made those heavens by his own hands, and declares the wisdom and skill with which it was done.
B.The revelation is continuous and universal v2-3
1.Both by day and by night, God’s creation is speaking (v. 2), His Glory and His handiwork is continually declared.
a.The message literally “pours out” without the limitation of human speech.
2.Creation speaks a universal language to all nations (vv. 3-4).
a.Paul sees all mankind as accountable to God by way of creation: Romans1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.“. God is revealed by the booming communication of creation.
Creation preaches a thousand sermons a day to the human heart.
This can be a basis for appeal and create an opening for us to reach people for God.
b.His continual communication to us is witness to His desire to be known by all, to be worshipped by all but we have a problem. Sin has darkened our perception of Him.
We need more than the witness of creation.
3.Verse 4 begins a beautiful transition, using nature to move us from the word of God displayed to the word of God written.
a.The rays of the sun penetrate everywhere. Nothing escapes it. God communicates to us through the sun which “rejoices” before Him, crossing the heavens that that all the earth receives the glory of the creator.
“And there is nothing hidden from its heat” marks the transition from the works of God to the Word of God. Both the sun and the Word radiate the light of the God who is light.
We need His Word to understand His work. As Paul said, the general revelation of God through creation holds us accountable and the Word of God tells us what more we need to know.
II.God Revealed in Scripture (vs. 7-11)
A.The heavens declare God’s glory, and the Scriptures declare His grace.
1.Vs. 7-11 gives us the specific revelation of God given in His Word. This is a personal revelation from God, for the name used is not “God” (Elohim) but “LORD,” (JHWH). This is the personal, covenant name for God.
2.These verses show us the value and use of God’s Word so we may understand that just as the sun is comprehensive for our world, the Word is comprehensive for our lives.
Before the Word of God, “there is nothing hidden from its heat.”
B.The Characteristics of His Word
1.The perfect law - The meaning is that it lacks nothing in order to its completeness; nothing in order that it might be what it should be. It is complete as a revelation of divine truth; it is complete as a rule of conduct.
The sure testimony - The Word does not change; it is sure and steadfast. It is God’s testimony to man, His witness of what is true and right. See Matt. 5:18.
The right statutes - “Statutes” means “precepts, rules for daily living.” Are equal, just, and proper. They are such as are founded in wisdom and equity. Some rules are wrong rules; God’s Word is right.
The pure commandment - Free from all stain; from all imperfection; from any corrupt tendency.
The clean fear of the Lord - The phrase “fear of the Lord” (v. 9) is the reverence and awe inspired by His word. It is clean means it is sanctified, purified, morally uncorrupted.
True, righteous judgments – All God’s regulations, all his decisions; what he has pronounced to be right and proper. Truth and righteousness united in God’s Word.
Better than gold – The Word is treasure incorruptible and eternal.
Sweeter than honey - The spiritual Christian does not need the artificial things of this world for satisfaction; the Word satisfies the spiritual appetite.
C.The effect of His Word
1.Converts - This is the same as “restores” in Psalm 23:3. The Word converts the sinner from his ways and restores the saint when he wanders. It refreshes and heals.
Makes wise – It teaches us all we need to know for salvation.
Rejoices - The spiritual believer finds joy in the Word.
Enlightens - “The entrance (opening) of Your words gives light” (Psalm 119:130, NKJV).
Endures - Other books fade and are forgotten, but God’s Word remains.
2.Enriches - It is better than gold or silver (Prov. 3:13-15).
Satisfies - The honey satisfies the body; the Word satisfies the soul.
Warns - It is better to prevent sin and avoid trouble than to confess sin and try to remedy mistakes. Knowing the Word and obeying it guides the believer on the safe path.
Rewards - Money cannot buy the rewards of a godly life: a clean conscience, a pure heart, joy, peace, and answered prayer. Note that v. 11 says there is a reward in keeping the Word, not for keeping it. The reward comes in the doing: “This man shall be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25).
III.God in our Hearts
A.No person can understand his or her own heart (Jer. 17:9).
1.We need the mirror of the Word to reveal our sins to us.
a.The psalmist closes by asking God to reveal his secret sins to him; David asks not only to be cleansed of secret faults, but to be restrained from running into open sin.
his errors: The discussion of the nature and perfection of the law of God leads the psalmist to consider his own imperfection. He is aware of both hidden faults and presumptuous sins; he asks to be delivered from both.
b.The basic prayer is that the outer and inner person in perfect conformity with one another will be pleasing in the Lord’s sight. This will require forgiveness of hidden sins as well as presumptuous, willful sins.
2.The prayer of v. 14 ought to be on our lips and in our hearts all day long.
a.Meditation is to the heart what digestion is to the body; it is the taking in of the Word of God and making it a part of the inner being. As the heart and mind think on the Word all day long, the Spirit guides the life.
Conclusion: Is your Bible all to you that God intends it to be? Read this psalm again and ask God to enable you to love the Word, live in it, and obey it – that His light may shine in your life.
Invitation
