Psalm 19

Today’s Passage: Psalm 19

I was recently in a conversation with a guy regarding the uniqueness of Christianity. At the top of that list is the personally relational character of our God. When sin separated us from God, God relentlessly pursued humanity. Without God making a way, we would have no hope. We would not have the opportunity for a personal relationship with him. Psalm 19 shows us some of the ways God relentlessly pursues people.

First, God’s revelation comes through Creation. The psalmist, King David poetically describes this, “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.”

This description of God revealing himself through Creation is what Bible teachers call “general revelation.” It’s “general” because it’s not very specific—you can learn things about God, but you can’t know him. This is what Paul means later in Romans when he said, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Creation is his voice… to the end of the world.

The second way God relentlessly pursues us—God’s revelation comes into our world. Some people believe God created, but that he wound up creation like an old clock and left it alone to run on its own. He set everything in motion, but we can’t really know him.

In contrast, David described God’s power as reaching into Creation. One of the tools described was the sun. Notice the sun’s penetration into Creation, nothing is hidden from its heat. Unlike many pagan religions that worshiped the sun as god, David described the sun, not as a god at all, but as one of many tools created by and used by one, singular God who reigns as Sovereign over everything beyond and beneath it.

The third way God relentlessly pursues us—God’s revelation comes through his Word. In verse 7, David moved from “general revelation” to “special revelation.” No longer is he talking about the things that anyone can see by looking anywhere, but instead, it’s how God revealed himself through his Word.

Look how David describes God’s Word and rules: perfect, reviving, sure, making wise the simple, right, rejoicing the heart, pure, enlightening the eyes, clean, enduring forever, true, and righteous. More to be desired are they than gold… sweeter also than honey. Have you ever read Scripture and been this excited about its rules?

The fourth way God relentlessly pursues us— God’s revelation comes to bless us. David said of God’s Word, "by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." Notice the change in relationship starting in verse 12, “Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins.” I mean, who is David talking to? God had spoken through his Word, but David asked for a new declaration. David expected God to speak based on his request. He prayed and expected God to move to help him overcome his sin.

Psalm 19 starts out general and impersonal. By the time you read verse 12 and following, it’s specific and relational. No other faith-system suggests this kind of possibility of knowing God. Today, focus on your relationship with God, praising him that you get to have a relationship with him, that you can know him. Secondly, maybe you need to examine your life according to God’s Word. Ask God to show you any “hidden faults” or “presumptuous sins.”

Written By: Tyler Short

2 Comments


Nora Cardona - August 15th, 2022 at 4:32am

"He prayed and expected God to move to help him overcome his sin." No matter what we pray for, we need to expect God to move, looking for His answer, believing He's listening and will answer. It's astounding that the Creator of the universe hears and cares.

"Today, focus on your relationship with God, praising him that you get to have a relationship with him, that you can know him." Yes!!! May we never take Him for granted.

Tyler Short - August 15th, 2022 at 5:14am

Well said Ms. Nora.

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