“Putting a Finger on Life”
Ps. 19:1-14
You graduates have completed a major chapter of your life – which deserves congratulations and celebrations. Hopefully you’ll have an ample supply of both. But the end of one chapter also signifies the beginning of another. If you had to write this next chapter today, what would it say? If you painted a picture of it, what would it look like? Where are you headed?
In Alice and Wonderland Alice asks the Cheshire Cat, “Which way do I want to go? Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where,” says Alice. Replied the Cat, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” Where are you headed?
God’s people, the Israelites, faced the same question. Finally freed from interminable slavery under Egyptian rule, they wondered about where they were headed. They feared they would spend the rest of their lives wandering in the desert wilderness. So God called Moses up the mountain to receive the 10 commandments. We are told that, from the midst of the clouds, thunder, and lightning these commandments were written on stone tablets “by the finger of God.” God’s finger was pointing the way; God was saying it was far wiser to let his finger guide them through the business of living than to wander in the wilderness running from place to place searching for where to go. Still today God, puts His finger on life through giving us His Word. As you write the next chapter of your life, recognize how God’s finger, through His Word, both points out and provides for the way.
First, God’s Word is our GREAT DIRECTOR. The Bible guides us through life. It shows us the way. Ps. 119:05 (NLT): “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” It is THE MAP FOR OUR JOURNEY. While on Sabbatical, Barb and I were in Houston, Texas and decided to spend some time at one of those beautiful Galleria Malls – lots of room to walk, much to see, and plenty of stores. We got to the mall okay but finding how to get off our road into the mall parking ramp was difficult. Finally we came to the last possible garage – and it wasn’t labeled Mall parking but rather Macy’s parking. But we could get to it so we drove in. As we got out of the car I saw huge signs that said “Purple Garage – LL1.” So, not wanting to forget, I jotted that down. As we walked to the entrance we chuckled because we saw a lady seated in a golf cart, being drive around by a security guard, looking for her car. It confirmed the wisdom of writing down our location! And for extra precaution we noted that we entered Macy’s through the ‘Women’s Fragrance’ section. We took a quick look at the kiosk map of the mall and began our journey. We had a good day enjoying the mall. When we decided it was time to go back to the hotel, we headed for Macy’s. When we got there we saw a huge sign by the exit that said “Brown Garage.” So we looked for the Women’s Fragrance section and discovered it only exited back into the mall. Slightly confused we went down one floor, figuring there would be another exit there – and there was – to the Brown Garage. And there was no other Women’s Fragrance section. So we went back up to the previous floor and wandered around for a while – too proud to ask for help! Finally Barb asked a sales clerk, “Where is the Purple Garage?” She replied, “Purple Garage? I’ve never heard of the Purple Garage.” Barb briefly explained where we parked and the clerk said, “I’m not aware of a Purple Garage.” Then, after a slight pause, she added, “You are aware aren’t you that there are 2 Macy stores in this mall?” Sure enough! Way at the other end was the other Macy’s with the Purple Garage and LL1. If only we had looked more closely at the map, and spent a little more time figuring out a route, we would have ended up where we needed to be. The same is true for the next chapter of life; the Bible maps out our journey – but we need to take the time to read it. Then we’ll see God’s finger pointing the way.
God’s Word also directs us by BUILDING STRUCTURE INTO OUR LIVES. “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” These statutes are fixed, regular testimonies, regulations by which something runs and operates. For example, the sun, moon, and stars are fixed; we cannot change them. In fact, the opening verses of this Psalm make this declaration. Similarly there are fixed regulations by which we are to live. God puts His finger on them in Dt. 28 & 29. There Moses says that to walk in the way of God is to receive blessing - and he spells out that way; and to walk outside the way of God is to experience cursing - and he spells out that way. These ways and their consequences are fixed - they cannot be changed. Never forget that when the way appears unclear, when we are in doubt, when life seems difficult, the Word makes clear what to do. It gives us the structure for living.
When I was in Seminary there was an optional program called the BLMS – Bi-Level Multi-Site. The idea was to spend two years at New Brunswick and one to two years at Western. And the curriculum would be structured somewhat loosely. Keep in mind this was the early ‘70’s when the rebellion against any structure was very strong. So the first group of students to enter the program asked for and received a program free of many requirements, with very little structure to their direction. I found it quite interesting that by the time they came to Western in their third year, they were feeling lost, like they were wandering, and were asking for some structure. That’s what the Word of God does for us - it structures our living and guides us.
Secondly, God’s Word is our GREAT PROVIDER. In Ps. 119:11 the Psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” In 19:8 he stated, “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” The Word of God – God’s finger – points out the sin around us, providing PROTECTION FROM FALLING INTO SIN. At a conference Barb and I attended in Washington DC I heard a commotion and turned to see people helping a man who had fallen by the escalators. I later learned that he thought he was stepping onto an escalator going up, but it was one that came down to his current level. Therefore he stumbled on the disappearing step. It turns out he was busy texting while he was walking and therefore he didn’t see the danger in front of him; he didn’t know he was at the wrong place, at the threshold of danger. His distraction caused him to stumble. God’s Word can keep us from stumbling into the wrong places, from crossing dangerous thresholds. Ps. 19:11: “By them is your servant warned…” Ps. 119:165 (NLT), “Those who love your instructions … do not stumble.” God’s finger points the way.
God’s Word also provides SECURITY FOR THE STORMS OF LIFE. In the mid-70’s I served a church in farming community in northwest Iowa. During our first winter there was a colossal 3 day blizzard – it was actually labeled an inland hurricane. We had a two story house, with the garage underneath the bedrooms. The winds blew so hard and drove the snow so mightily that the snow came under our garage door, took a 90 degree turn to the right and went under the main door into the house, then took another 90 degree turn to the left and went up the first three stairs towards the upstairs. Needless to say, things were difficult for the farmers and their livestock. The farmers couldn’t see where their barns were and it was extremely difficult and hazardous trying to walk in the wind. I later learned that the farmers and many their livestock survived because the farmers had placed ropes from their homes to their barns so they had something to hang on to as they went to their barns to tend to the livestock. The rope was their guide and their security.
Paul wrote (2 Tim. 1:13-14) “Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.” When the going gets tough, when the way is unclear, when the decision is uncertain, when doubt sets in, when opposition rises up, when the storms are overwhelming, when the winds threaten to knock you over - hold on firmly to the Word of God, remain true to what you learned in your life of faith, and keep believing. The Word is God’s finger pointing the way to life.
God’s Word, is also our GREAT REVEALER. Hear what God promised Joshua when he was appointed to succeed Moses as the leader of the Israelites (1:7-9 NLT): “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” The Bible reveals GOD’S HEART OF LOVE. God loves us so much that He wants to bless us. He wants to shower us with success in all we do, and desires that we experience His constant presence. Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) puts it: “Oh, the joys of those who … delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Yet even more than this, God’s finger, God’s Word, reveals His heart of love by pointing us to JESUS CHRIST. In keeping the law of God we find Jesus Christ. He himself said He was the fulfillment of the law. As John writes, “In him was life…” Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life…I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full… I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I lay down my life for the sheep…But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father… I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” The Bible reveals, confronts us with, and leads us to Jesus – and in Him is life in all its fullness.
Fourthly, God’ Word provides for the way because it is the GREAT TRANSFORMER. God’s Word makes things happen. It has the POWER TO CREATE LIFE. It certainly has power. To the prophet Jeremiah God said (Jer. 23:29), “Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Hebrews 4:12 says it graphically: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
But it’s important to grasp that this power creates life. The first 6 verses of Psalm 19 remind us that God created and sustains the world by His word. He speaks, and life happens. Ps, 33:6-9 (NLT): “The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.”
And because the Word creates life, it ENRICHES US. That’s what Psalm is all about. The Psalmist says the Word revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes. In Ps. 119:97-100 he declared, “Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”
Yet, if you remember nothing else from this morning, here’s the key to writing the next chapter of your life. God’s finger will point to life because His Word ALWAYS IMPACTS US. God’s Word changes us every time we read or hear it. Through the prophet Isaiah God said “Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and don’t return there without watering the earth, making it conceive and yield plants and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater, so is my word that comes from my mouth; it does not return to me empty. Instead, it does what I want, and accomplishes what I intend.” (55:10-11 CEB), This was Apostle Paul’s foundational belief. Romans 1:16 - the Gospel “…is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Right now God is pointing the way to life as he is busy transforming you, shaping you, molding you. It’s true, you may not feel anything – but it is happening. You don’t feel yourself growing physically right now, but you are. Some of us don’t feel at this moment that we’re aging – but we are. (Then again, some days we do feel it!). Growth and transformation happen in indiscernible ways – but just because we can’t see or feel it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. You will leave here a different person than you were when you arrived here.
So where do you want to get to? If you want a full, abundant life, let God’s finger point the way. Here’s my challenge to you as you start writing the next chapter of your life. Follow Paul’s admonition (Col. 3:16), “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Paul says to make your heart a storehouse for the Word of God. This summer some of our youth will be involved in tending to the garden by the parsonage. Why bother? Why not just let it grow? Because it needs planting and tending – regular watering, weeding, and picking. The same is true, even more importantly, for your life. Tend to your life by watering it regularly, planting daily deposits of the Word of God.
When we were visiting our sons out east, one of them was providing respite foster care for a 10 year old girl whose foster family on vacation. I’ll call her Mary. Mary had just received her first Bible a couple weeks prior. She was ecstatic. She wanted to play Bible trivia and ask us questions about the books of the Bible – even though she couldn’t yet pronounce them all and had not yet read them all. She excitedly told us she’d read through Genesis and Exodus (I didn’t have the heart to wish her good luck with Leviticus!). As we worshipped on Sunday she was reading her Bible the whole time. I have no idea what Mary’s future in the foster care system will be. But I do know that if she keeps pouring over her Bible, it will be well with her soul – for God’s finger will point to and provide the way – for His Word will drive her to and fill her with Jesus. And that is life indeed. May her passion be yours – and your future be filled with Jesus.
