Most Christians have met people who spend a great deal of time agonizing over the question, “Is there a God?” Still others spend as much time trying to prove that there is NOT a God. David’s answer was very practical – Look around you and SEE this world! In the birth of baby birds and other animals, in the blooming of the flowers, and the industrious flying of the bee, God’s hand is seen everywhere. Those that question that there is a God must always deal with the beauty and mystery of life.
David wrote, “Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:2) Yes, unless we deliberately deny what we see, the universe bears constant witness to the presence of God. Each plant and insect is like an incredibly small organic computer that has been programmed to function a certain way in nature. The heavens function with such mathematical precision that space crafts can be sent to where a planet or a moon is so that an orbit and landing can be accomplished. The unmanned spacecraft Galileo visited the planets, and many of the moons of the solar system. The trip took over two DECADES, yet that tiny craft arrived at each point exactly when it was supposed to.
Science can describe “what” happens in the universe or “how” it happens, but the question “why” must come from another area. For David and for those that will not be blinded by the god of this world, that other area is, of course, GOD.
After considering God’s creation, David then thought about the way that God deals with His people. Today, many people do not understand how God can be a God of Love and a God of Law at the same time.
Even more people do not understand how the Law of Moses and the various statutes of God fit in with the God of Love. David wrote, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple…” (Psalm 19:7) Then, in Psalm 19:11, David wrote, “By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward”.
The Law of God, the expression of God’s will is good! The problem comes when people do not understand the purpose behind the Law. Paul wrote that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We will never win our way to heaven through the Law. Yet, that was never the purpose of the Law. The Law showed mankind what the perfect and righteous God requires. If the laws of God are obeyed, then a person will experience joy and peace. But of even greater value, the Law of God pointed to the fact that something else was needed before the door to salvation could be opened.
In Psalm 19:12, David asked a very important question, “Who can discern his error?” There are things that we do that are wrong and, yet we are so involved in the world that we don’t realize what we are doing. Why do we need the Law? The Law reveals what is sin in God’s eyes. What can we do about our sin? Nothing! Our only hope comes when we embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yes, Psalm 19 is a true jewel. It shows us God in His creation. It shows us the righteousness of God in His Law. It shows us our need for forgiveness, and it shows that the forgiveness we must have comes through the Good News message of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.
(JIM SHELBURN)