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I woke to a beautiful morning and went out on the back porch to spend some time enjoying the sunrise and a conversation with God. Sometimes I sit and take it in. I try to hear what He’s saying to my heart. I try not to just rush in with all my thoughts and requests.
Frankly, contemplating the fact that the God who created the sunrise I was enjoying and the breeze on my face, would want to say anything to me at all (I mean isn’t He really busy?) blows me away. And yet, He speaks. We should ponder that truth more than we do.
The other morning, I read a passage in my quiet time that I quote, sometimes out loud, whenever I take in a beautiful landscape.
Psalm 19: 1-6
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
I took these pictures over the past few years…just several of many beautiful moments captured that struck me with awe for my Creator.
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Psalm 19 actually goes on further and can literally be broken in to three sections.
The first, I just shared with you. It emphasizes that God is glorious and even creation sings of His majesty and wonder. That’s the God I serve. And He pursues me personally.
I know. It’s hard to believe. In fact, it’s easier to believe He is a busy God – loving…but busy. He wants the best for me, Sure! But intimately involved in every detail of my life? Hard to fathom. Still that is my God.
What also astounds me, is that He gave me His testament, His Word, the Bible to express His love and His character and His ways to me. It’s been called His love letter to us.
I find it interesting that after reading about God’s majesty in Psalm 19, we see King David, the writer, then begin to express what God’s Love letter does in the heart and life of His child.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
So, to recap, we can easily see that there is a God of Majesty and power simply by looking around us. It doesn’t stop with the heavens. How about a new born baby? One of the most precious moments in the life of each of my children was hearing their first cry – their little voices.
How about a Lion? Or even watching geese with their gaggle? Majesty!
What about the way our bodies move and live and heal? How about music and how it soothes us? Colors! Taste! All from His hand.
This God then expresses through His word and even in this chapter how to know and enjoy Him.
My instructions are perfect. (Trust me!)
My decrees are eternal and unchanging. (I am Faithful!)
My commands are right. (I will bring joy to your heart!)
My commands are clear. (I will give you insight for living.)
Your natural response to Me will be reverence for I am pure and eternal.
My laws are true and fair. (You can abide and rest in them!)
You will see that they are more desirable than gold…the finest gold.
Taste and see that I am good. My Word is sweeter than honey from a honey comb.
By my word I warn you of danger. Obey Me, your Loving Father, and you will find great reward!
Just pondering all of this causes my heart to rejoice and I feel heavy that I so often live my life forgetting just Who God is and how He loves me. I see my sinful self.
It’s no surprise to me that David makes the progression he does in the chapter. He talks about God’s glorious character. Then he goes on to tell us about how God speaks to us through His love letter. Then finally, he turning his eyes to himself, says:
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
David sees his sin in contrast to God’s majesty. Compelled by God’s love, David confesses how much conviction has gripped him. Well, God even has a remedy for his sin as well.
David saw God’s Majesty.
David read God’s love letter.
David saw the sin lurking in him.
What if stopped there? My kids used to love saying the phrase…”Too bad. So sad.” (note, I did NOT love the phrase). The beauty of Psalm 19 is that David knew GOD INVITES US IN.
He makes us holy.
He makes us as white as snow, by the blood of His Son, Jesus.
So we can draw near.
Friend, have you been downcast? Feeling isolated and alone? Look up to your Creator. Reflect on His power and majesty. Read His letter of love you. Confess your sin to Him and run into His arms.
He is Great!
He is Good!
And He calls to you right now.
