psalm 19
Psalm 19:1-3:
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. |
All creation displays Gods glory. All there is, was designed by God to reflect His majesty. Man, blinded by his own sinfulness, may not be able to see creation as it really is. He usually chooses, then, the path of despair.
1. Some speculate that the universe has existed forever. This view is not consistent with the known facts of science. One of the most widely recognized laws of science is the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This law suggests that whenever matter is changed from one form to another, its potential for work is always decreased. Energy transfer is a degenerative process. The universe is growing old; it is wearing out. One of the implications of the Second Law is this – at some point in the past the universe had a beginning. It is thus not eternal. Dr. Robert Jastrow, one of the nation’s most respected scientists, and an agnostic, has written, “Modem science denies an eternal existence to the universe” (Jastrow, Robert, Until the Sun Dies [New York: Warner Books, 1977], p. 15). 2. The current atheistic speculation is that the universe created itself from nothing. Edward Tryon, professor of physics at the City University of New York, wrote, “In 1973, 1 proposed that our universe had been created spontaneously from nothing (ex nihilo) as a result of established principles of physics.” He went on to suggest that “our universe had its physical origin as a quantum fluctuation of some pre-existing true vacuum, or state of nothingness” (Tryon, Edward, New Scientist [March 8, 1984], pp. 14-15). If you understand that statement, do not boast about it! It makes no sense whatsoever. There is absolutely no scientific basis for such a wild hypothesis. If matter has the ability to create itself from nothing, there should be some evidence that matter is being created. But there is no evidence of this. The First Law of Thermodynamics, in fact, asserts that matter is not being created. It is therefore perfectly reasonable to conclude that matter cannot make itself, and thus the universe is not self-created 3. The only remaining logical conclusion is this: the universe was created by something, or someone, other than itself. Since the universe is characterized by order/design, and since design implies intelligence, it is reasonable to acknowledge that an intelligent someone was responsible for the birth of the cosmic community of which we are a part. The Bible reveals that the someone is God. |
Psalm 19:3-6:
There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. |
Although 19:2 speaks of speech being poured forth, verse 3 says there is no speech and words. The NIV would is clearer. "There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." (Psalms 19:3, NIV). In other words, God's message has crossed every culture and broken every language barrier making everyone responsible to give reverence to God. His language of majestic glory and power has crossed every ethnic line and barrier.
The evangelist can be sure that those unreached individuals have heard God 'speak' to them. And again, Romans 1:18-20 clearly testifies to the fact that God's Word has penetrated to every language group making everyone responsible to give reverence to God. The implications of God speaking to everyone in the world demonstrate that God is concerned for the world. This is part of the subtle Old Testament message that comes dramatically alive in the New Covenant. Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations. Not only are all peoples made in God's image, they have heard God's voice ringing through His glorious creation. --Paul J Bucknell |
This revelation is so clear there is no one who can escape God’s self-revelation, he is like the sun in the sky, a bridegroom proudly going up from a wedding or a warrior charging into battle. “Just as the sun dominates the daytime sky, so too does Torah dominate human life” (Craigie, Psalms 1-50; WBC, 184). This is similar to Paul’s point in Romans 1:18-25. God clearly reveals his existence and some of his attributes in order to draw people to himself, but humans suppress this knowledge and worship created things rather than the creator.
If God reveals himself so clearly in creation, why do people twist or reject that revelation? --Reading Acts
If God reveals himself so clearly in creation, why do people twist or reject that revelation? --Reading Acts
Psalm 19:12:
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. |
The Psalmist was no stranger to sin, and has proven a faithful guide as we work with Christians to recognize and honestly acknowledge our own failures to love God and one another. So often our shortcomings are buried under layers of justification and fear, and it takes the guidance of the Holy Spirit to uncover them – to shed light on the darkness we each hide. And yet, as the Psalmist testifies, this work is never one of condemnation, but of redemption! God helps us to see and repent of our sin, for sure, but then redeems our failure, transforming it into an opportunity for growth in His love. Further, this astonishing grace changes us, not only as individuals, but as a community: when together we invite God to “clear our hidden faults,” we find ourselves newly equipped to love God and each other, even in the midst of our disagreements. --The Colossian Forum
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