Well, we want to look at Psalm 19, and the thing that impresses me as I read Psalm 19 is that God wants himself to be known. I would title this Psalm, "General and Special Revelation" - I'll explain what that means.
God finds joy in revealing himself to us, and not just to religious believing people, but to everyone. There are two ways that he reveals himself. He wants us to know him, to be in communion with him, and have our life shaped by him. So let me read Psalm 19:
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice 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,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
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.
What the Psalm is saying is that this general revelation of God's presence, and his glory, his faithfulness and love, is there in creation every day. Creation reveals the presence and glory of God. I like to say it this way, "You can't get up in the morning without bumping into God." All the glorious things in creation have been intentionally designed by God to reveal the glory of the One who created them. And so, that sunset, the lumbering gait of an elephant, the inexhaustible wings of a hummingbird, the power of a storm, the beautiful fragrance of a flower, the unbelievably beautiful coat of a tiger - all of those things were meant to remind us that there is One who sits on the throne of the universe who created and controls all that is.
But there's another form of revelation. The Psalm continues this way:
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Not only in general revelation of creation, but God makes himself known and his will known by the special revelation of his law or his Word. Again, the law of God, the Word of God, is self- revealing. It's so that we would know him and know his will for us so that we would live in this constant state of God-consciousness.
Now, there are two things that these two revelations together do for us. First of all, it leaves all of us without excuse. There's no one who can say that they haven't been hit by God's revelation because if you get up in the morning, you have had an encounter with God. And because God's Word is available, it's impossible for us to say we don't know his will for us.
But God is not just removing our excuses; he is loving us because life is only ever found in relationship to him. God reveals himself to us so that we would know him, and in knowing him, we would know life. God makes himself known because he wants us to thrive, because he loves us, and he designed us to live in a lifelong communion of love and worship and surrender to him.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Consider some of the ways in which you "bumped into God" yesterday in the form of general revelation (that is, in the same ways that a non-believing person would also experience God). How are you currently experiencing the common grace of God - the "sun" that rises on the evil and on the good, and the "rain" that he sends on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45)? Do you take these for granted or even live with an attitude of entitlement? What are some of your favorite pleasures of the created world that God has gifted us? Do you worship every time you experience these gifts, or have they become somewhat of (or entirely) an idol that controls your life and shapes your reactions?
2. Now compare those created pleasures that God has gifted to us and enjoys revealing himself through to the second half of the Psalm. Can you honestly relate with the Psalmist in verse 10, that the law of the Lord is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey? How can you grow in your love for the Lord, more than his gifts? Perhaps a way to start is to reflect on how the Lord's special revelation to you has, in the past:
- Revived your soul during a dry season
- Matured you from simple to wise
- Given you reason to rejoice during suffering
- Opened your eyes to the truth
Remember - and worship! - the times when the Lord revealed himself to you in these areas.
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children: Did you know that you "see" God every day, even though he is invisible? God created the world and everything in it as a reminder for us to think of him. What are some things you see every day in the world that you really like? What are some of your favorite colors, animals, foods, or things to do outside? Did you know that every time you enjoy that, you should remember God and thank him? He made all of these things because he loves you and wants what is best for you. That's also why God gave us rules. Do you like rules? Do rules sometimes feel like that get in the way of fun? Did you know that rules are actually meant to keep us safe and to allow us to have the most fun, within the boundaries of God's rules? Think of a rule that you might not like but that actually is good for you.
For Older Children: Where do you visibly see instances of an invisible God's glory every day in creation? What are your favorite elements of the created world that you get to experience as a free gift from God? Do you consider these gifts and give thanks regularly, or do you just expect to receive them? Do you desire a relationship with this invisible God more than you desire all the good things that he provides? Consider all of the gifts and blessings from Psalm 19 that come with a relationship with God: reviving your soul, making you wise, giving you reason to rejoice, opening your eyes, and last forever. Pick one of these blessings and talk about how it can change your life today, if you pursue relationship with this glorious God.
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