We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
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Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14
19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Reflection:
Psalm 19 is both a simple and a confronting passage that draws the reader’s attention to the simplicity of God’s handiwork in creation and scripture. It emphasizes both the nature and character of God and how this revelation calls for an appropriate response from the Christian. It can be split into three sections: Section 1: Creation reveals God’s glory (verses 1-6), Section 2: The word shows His grace (verses 7-10), and Section 3: David prays for that grace (verses 11-14). The author, King David, provides such rich imagery that accentuates a different aspect of God’s character and His nature towards humanity.
Creation reveals God’s glory:
The Scripture reveals His Sovereignty through creation- everything is ordered so perfectly (e.g the flow of the seasons, the flow and eb of the seas, transition from morning to night etc) that it shows His intelligent design. Creation reveals His Majesty (see Romans 1:20).
The word shows His grace:
This section starts by showing an aspect of God’s character that is revealed through His law. That aspect has a positive effect on the Christian if they obey and heed his words. His law is perfect, it is reliable and trustworthy, it is righteous, it is clean and endures forever. His word restores and revives our souls, makes the simple wise, brings joy to one’s heart and enlightens our eyes. Is God’s love not revealed so clearly within this text?
David prays for that grace:
Finally, King David responds to the revelation of God’s character and nature in creation and scripture. (Keeping in mind that David had access to only a small portion of the scripture that we have now, when he wrote this passage.) So how much more should we respond in the same way David did?
In this Lenten season, let us humble ourselves before the foot of the cross, ask God to examine our hearts, renew our minds through His word, revive our souls and draw us closer to Himself so that his love transforms us from the inside-out.
Prayer:
Let our prayer be this:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Amen
Julie McKenzie
NTC Office Manager